Wolfstar only shrugged. "I know. And I praise her for keeping on her collar. She's brave." He stretched out, the tense muscles in his back relaxing. 

_________

Limefeather rolled her eyes and yawned. "Sure is lonely in here," she muttered faintly. "Ever since the last of the elders past away, this den has been empty." She stretched out beside him, tail sliding under his chin.

__________

Oakfeather nodded, keeping his eyes focused on the brush as he pulled himself forwards slowly. He kept tabs on the fox's scent, sounds and any sights of it. The reek mingled in the air, making his stomach churn.

Moonsong tilted her head, "why do the other cats fear her collar? If she had never said anything to me, I wouldnt have noticed she had one."

__

Adderstrike yawned, "well, I could stay here if you want." he suggested, whiskers quivering.

__

Cougarfeather brushed againg Oakfeather's shoulers, eyes scanning the area for sighns of the fox. Wherever it was, it was well hidden, she didnt se hide nor hair of a fox. She unsheathed her claws and pinned back her ears nervously.

{ I downloaded a skin for mozilla, and for my MSN. x3 Now everything on my computer is black and green. 8D My wallpaper is Slytherin~ -foams at mouth- :3~ }

Wolfstar only shrugged. "They don't know what it makes her." He said. "A kittypet, a rogue, a loner. They don't know; so cats are afraid of her."

_________

Oakfeather stiffened as he caught a glimpse of russett fur out of the corner of his eye. The sharp tang of fox blood hit the glands on the roof of his mouth, making him draw away with a hiss. "Found it,"

__________

Limefeather glanced at him, but didn't say anything. She didn't think she had to. Her eyes delivered a clear 'yes'.

((XD sweet!))

Moonsong shook her head, "well, they better get over it! Her being a rouge is no different from me being a cat from a mountain tribe. And they have gotten used to me havent they?" she said.

__

Adderstrike yawned and rested his head on his paws, "well then its settled. But you still need to learn the warrior way of life, I'm not sure Wolfstar will let me live in the elders den forever." he chuckled.

__

Cougarfeather slid silently away from his side, to get between the fox and camp, "you ready?" she hissed to Oakfeather.

{ Har-har yussss :D Now I'm just gonna re-do my profile so it too looks like toxic sludge. >:D }

Wolfstar chuckled. "Yes," he purred. "But only time will tell."

_______

Limefeather curled up beside them, her flank brushed against his. "Fine," she muttered. "You win. I'll train as a warrior." Her eyes closed slowly, drowsiness winning her over.

_______

Oakfeather swallowed. "No," he admitted. "But I don't think I ever will be." He hardened himself and focused all his energy as he unsheathed his claws. A bark penetrated the silence, and the edge-shaped face of the fox poked out of the bushes. Oakfeather could feel his heart thud in his chest as the fox snarled and stepped towards them.

Moonsong rubbed her head against Wolfstars cheek, "They will. Trust me." she purred confidently.

__

Adderstrike chuckled, "told you so." he purred, closing his eyes and beginning to fall asleep.

__

Cougarfeather, "me niether." se snarled, tightening her mucles to spring. Her ears were pressed flat against he head and she hissed menacingly. Then, as the fox took another step forward, she pounces, sraking her claws against the side of the foxes face, "remember me?" she hissed in its ear.

The fox reared up on its hind legs to swipe at Cougarfeather. As it did, Oakfeather lunged at its chest, using his weight to throw it off balance. The fox fell backwards with a snarl, twisting in an effort to land on its feet.

Oakfeather snarled and ducked out of the way of it's claws, but a sudden stinging on his cheek meant that he hadn't been fast enough. 

_______

Limefeather muttered something under her breath before she lapsed into sleep. It wasn't long until her paws metthe forest floor and she couldfeel her warrior ancestors around her. Firestar's voice boomed from behind. "Limefeather!" 

She whirled around to face him, but was met with nothing but a leaf swirling down from an oak tree. Her eyes traced the darkness carefully, but there was nothing to see. Spottedleaf whispered in her ear. "Look to your right, young warrior." Her words sent chills up her spine, but Limefeather looked to the right. 

Next to her paw, an adder was coiled, ready to strike. It's fangs glinted in the moonlight peculiarly. Movement overhead caught her attention. Limefeather watched as a feather, which was attached to an Oak tree like it was a leaf, fell down slowly towards the Adder. The Adder struck, fangs sinking into the feather.

Her heart thundered in her chest as she tried to understand what the sign meant. "Hello?!" she called as she stumbled backwards. "Firestar? Spottedleaf?! Yellowfang?!" 

Then she slipped into darkness.

{ An Adder's strike destroys an Oak feather. ;D -snicker- }

____________

Wolfstar only nodded, and stared at the darkening horizon with a fathomless ex
pression on his face.

Cougarfeather bit down on one of its ears and the fox yelped and readred back on its hind legs, it toppled backward and landed right on her. Cougarfeather felt the breath rush out of her chest. She gasped for air.

__

Moonsong twitched her ears, "hmmm." she thought she could hear Cougarfeather and Oakfeather, but she wasnt sure.

Oakfeather yowled, staggering backwards as the fox snapped at him. Its teeth closed a whisker in front of his face. He swiped, and missed, eyes searching for Cougarfeather. His heart thudded wildly as he saw her tail sticking out from underneath the russett fur of the fox.

The fox hadn't stood up yet, but was laying flat on its stomach as it faced Oakfeather. It showed no signs of moving, which made him feel panicked. Was Cougarfeather okay? The fox's weight was probably crushing her. But he had no way to get close enough to help.

___________

Wolfstar stuffened, listening as he picked up a distant yowl. He relaxed almost immediately though. "Probably just a rogue," he muttered.

Cougarfeatehr finaly got some air into her lungs. She inhaled deeply, then thrust her powerful backlegs into the fox's soft belly. When she was able to use her front paws, she slashed at its throat. Hissing angrily.

__

Moonsong sighed, "if you say so." she muttered, resting her head back on her paws.

Coufarfeather Clawed at the fox's belly, slashing into its skin. The fox yelped and writed, then kicked her with one of its back legs. Cougarfeatehr sid back and her head hsi a rock. Hard. Everything faded to blackness.

__

Windpaw was sure he heard a fox yelp. He bolted toward it, knowing that he could get in trouble. He saw Oakfeather strugging with the fox, and Cougarfeatehr lying a short distance away, unconcious. Windpaw yowled angrily, then sprang at the fox. As Long as Oakfeather had the back of its neck, it was partially vounerable. He bit down as hard as he could on the fox's throat. Tasting blood, he tightened his grip. THe fox tried to yelp more, but now it was most of a gurlging sound.

Oakfeather yowled, letting go of the fox as Windpaw latched onto it's thoat. The struggles were getting much weaker. His paws hit the ground with a thud, and he twisted one as he landed. Ignoring the pain, and the blood seeping through his fur, he limped over to Cougarfeather.

"Cougarfeather?" he mewe, pressing his nose against her flank. He could feel his heart pumping wildly. "W-wake up."

_________

Lionpaw thundered out of camp after Windpaw, the wind tugging at her fur as she pelted through the forest. She hurled herself at the fox, not thinking twice about the trouble it could get her in. Her claws met it's flank, and she hissed through her teeth as she slashed at it's russett fur. 

Cougarfeather groaned, but couldnt open her eyes. It didnt matter how hard she tried, "Oakfeather..."her voice was barely above a whiper. How hard had she hit her head? It throbbed and she groaned again, "whe-where's the fox?"

__

"Lionpaw!" Windpaw was glad to see her. He jumped back from the fox as it fell forward. The russett animal staggered forward, still growling. Windpaw lashed his tail, "bring it on, you monster." he snarled.

Lionpaw only flicked her ears in response, giving him the cold shoulder. She hadn't forgotten about the fight between him and Poppypaw, nor did she care to let it slip her mind. She slashed her claws across it's muzzle, blood splattering her golden fur and collar. Her fur puffed up as she hissed at the fox.

___________

Oakfeather sat down beside her, pain twisting his features. "Windpaw and Lionpaw," he said quietly. "They're taking care of it now." He nosed her gently. "Are you okay?"

Cougarfeather opened her eyes slowly the forst was spinning, "I think so." She said, trying to ger to her feet. But, failed. She was too dizzy.

__

Windpaw slashed at the fox's eyes. Then it fell at his feet. he tensed his muscles, in case it was a trick, but the fox didnt seem to be breating anymore. But he wasnt taking any chances.

{ Sorry I poofed; have people over }

Lionpaw pressed her nose to the fox's neck, tensing herself. "Dead," she muttered, drawing back. "No pulse. No breathing." She sat down and started to draw her tongue over her matted bloody fur.

__________

Oakfeather frowned, looking her over carefully. "We should get you to Lime-" he cut himself off soberly. "I mean Dreamsplash." He stood, ignoring the paw that was twisted at an awkward angle. He had no clue if it was broken or not. "Lean against me and see if you can stand."

__________

Windpaw breathed a sigh of relief and sat down, "well wasnt that fun." he growled sarcastically.

__

Cougarfeatehr shook her head, "I don't wantto see Dreamsplash, there is something...off about her. I'm sure its just cuts and bruises." she stood up, shakily but managed to stay on her feet, she glanced at his paw, "If anyone needs a medicine cat, its you." she pointed out.

{ Sowwy ; I was outside enjoying the warm weather ^u^ }

Oakfeather shrugged his shoulders. "I'm fine," he said grufffly. "Now, let's get back to camp...Before we run into another fox or badger." He flicked his ears at her. "That's the last thing either of us need."

___________

Lionpaw cleaned the last of the blood off of her pelt, and got to her feet. There was a shallow cut above her left eye, but she ignored it and started back towards camp without another word. Her eyes were fathomless and unreadable.