Into the Dawn [Battle Thread]

[Willow]

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[atrb=background,http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r230/Mica556/willowtablebg.png] Dawn was breaking above the horizon as Willowstar set out from her camp. Tendrils of light snaked across the frozen land, casting shadows among the tree and sending reflective flares off the frozen streams. The sky was a painting of a thousand different shades of color without a single cloud marring its perfection. The strong light was breaking through the frost that coated the grass and warming the frigid air ever so slightly. But still, her breath came before her in clouds of white, heavy in the morning air. Grey paws hit the hard earth in rhythm, falling softly one after the other. The noise was muffled against the blanket of pine needles that littered the ground, fallen due to the strong winds of leaf bare. A swift breeze flew through brown and grey hairs, chilling Willowstar to the bone. But she ran on, with yellow eyes narrowed and gleaming in the dawn light. Grey ears were flattened to her head and her long tabbied tail streamed out behind her. The leader’s pace was moderate, not too slow and not too fast. They needed speed, but not enough to tire themselves out. Willowstar was silent as she led her Clan through the depths of their territory, heading to the Southern edge. Heading to war. Behind her, some were murmuring, but mostly they were silent as well. A somber air hung over her Clan as they streamed behind her. Some still doubted this battle, doubted the validity of it. But most of the cats that joined her on this early patrol supported her plans and ideas. Which was, of course, why she had chosen them. Soon, the black expanse of the Thunderpath loomed up in front of her yellow eyes and she came to a halt at the edge of the path. There were few monsters out this early and those that were traveled at a slow pace, afraid of the ice that currently coated the blackness beneath their great black paws. Willowstar smirked a little at the great monsters, fearing something so insignificant as a bit of ice. Regardless, it was lucky for the cats. If it were not leaf-bare, Willowstar would simply have taken the tunnel beneath the Thunderpath. Yet, with the ice and snow and freezing air, there was no guaranteeing that the tunnel would be accessible on both sides. Going across was safer, especially with the few monsters traveling. The ShadowClan leader turned to face her Clan. Her yellow eyes glowed and her fur stood on end as she looked from one to the other, reading their expressions and the emotions in their eyes. “We cross above land today,” she told them without supplying the reason. They could figure it out themselves. “I am hoping to encounter a ThunderClan dawn patrol once we are over there. If we don’t, we shall lay scent markers and wait for one. We are not going to be overzealous and head to their camp. We are not trying to drive ThunderClan out. That is not our goal. We are simply taking some of their prey rich territory for our own. When we do meet a patrol, let them flee, do not pursue. Understand?” Her eyes passed over her warriors, sharp and critical. She was no tyrant like the leaders of old. No, she was simply trying to better her own Clan, not destroy another. Willowstar did not want to be seen as a reincarnation of Brokenstar for she was not. She would not try to take over another Clan and she had to make sure all of her warriors understood that. “We cross together. There are few monsters out this early. The path is icy, so be careful.” She turned back and stepped forward until her small paws rested on the edge of the twoleg road. A monster was creeping up, taking no notice of the cats as it proceeded forward across the ice coating. When it was gone Willowstar moved onto the road, searching for more monsters before signaling for her Clan to follow. Her progress across the Thunderpath was careful and slow, avoiding the worst of the ice. Once across, she turned to make sure her warriors had made it across as well. Convinced that all was fine, Willowstar stood tall and raised her head to the sky and let out an ear-splitting battle cry that would alert any ThunderClan patrol within the area of her presence. Then she lunged forward with lean muscles rippling beneath her tabby pelt. Her pace had quickened as she had entered enemy territory. She was holding nothing back now. The ShadowClan leader raised a pink nose to the cold air, scenting for ThunderClan cats. She grinned as the foreign scent came drifting towards her, strong and fresh. Oh yes, they were here. And after her cry, they knew she was too. “They’re here. Prepare for battle!” she yelled to her warriors as she turned in the direction of the ThunderClan scent. As she burst through a thick bush of dead bracken, Willowstar caught sight of an orange tabby pelt in the shadows cast by the dawn sun. Perfect. She lunged forward with claws unsheathed, aiming to attack the cat. She let out another cry, urging her Clan onward to battle. ___________________________________ words xx 877 audience xx ShadowClan x ThunderClan music xx Nights of Arabia – Kamelot comments xx Anyone mentioned in the Gathering Dark thread may post here as well as a small patrol of ThunderClan cats. These cats must post: Mottledhawk, Vixenfang.

[tenacious]

Dawn had come quickly. It seemed like only a few heartbeats after slipping into his nest that the slumbering ShadowClan warrior was roused from his dreams by the prospect of battle. Some cats were up as the tom stood, stretching before padding out to meet his leader. He did not speak. There was nothing to discuss with the others- he would listen to orders, unless they were absolutely dumb ones, but he could put a bit of trust into Willowstar. She would make good decisions. ShadowClan would win this territory and Elkstar would see that cowardice was not accepted within the forest.

Pine needles provided the ShadowClan cats with a way to almost completely silence the tattoo of their paws thudding on the ground. A vicious wind cut through Swampclaw’s coat, but he ignored the cold. Soon, he would grow warm from the amount of movement he would have to do. It seemed Willowstar was setting a pace that would allow them to move quickly, but not waste valuable energy. Wise of her, the tom noted. Not only that, but the sound of their paws thundering across the thick black strip that made up Thunderpath would alert any ThunderClan patrol, if the monsters were not rushing across the Thunderpath.

Willowstar halted by the Thunderpath and Swampclaw came to a stop just behind her; there was some ice on the Thunderpath, with few monsters coming by, and those that did seemed to be inching along. He stopped watching the monsters to focus on Willowstar as she spoke; Swampclaw had traveled beneath the tunnel many times, once during Leaf-bare, and the cats had to turn back due to a blockage at the opposite end. He knew her reasoning for crossing above land, even if she did not voice it. The tom just hoped no younger cats would question their leader- now was not the time. Thankfully, no mews of protest arose and Swampclaw smirked lightly before flicking an ear and listening once more.

The warrior lashed his tail, though he knew it would be unwise to pursuit a retreating patrol, or to go out seeking one. ThunderClan had one advantage- this was their home. If the ShadowClan cats went too far into ThunderClan territory, they would find themselves battling in unknown land. They would find themselves ignorant of their surroundings; such was never good for any marauding patrol. When the cats had peacefully (ha, see, a funny) crossed the Thunderpath Willowstar let out a battle cry and burst forward. Swampclaw did so as well, a snarl building in his chest as muscles rippled beneath his dark pelt.

“They’re here. Prepare for battle!”

Swampclaw’s snarl burst into the air as he hurled himself at a ThunderClan warrior, whose pelt was black as night. The tom unsheathed his claws, eyes flashing with hatred and battle lust, as he landed; the small tom had dodged. He dropped into a battle crouch, a light smirk on his muzzle. Today, ThunderClan would bleed upon land they had once called their own.

[l y r i c !]

Brackenheart !
And look at the cowards whom call themselves cats.

SnakeRocks. The memory here was all too familiar, etched into his mind like a map of his own territory. Of Emberheart, his mentor, and then the fall of the great tom by ShadowClan claws. All at once the hatred that he had held inside him welled up again. Whenever he thought of ShadowClan, he felt nothing but hatred and a powerful feeling to insult them over and over even if the insults were unjust. His green eyes blazed as he looked off into the distance for a moment. Then he head a rustling sound. Again... And another. What in StarClan's name? He thought irritably, looking towards the sound. All at once the filthy stench of ShadowClan warriors filled his mouth. Immediately anger and adrenaline shot through him, and he leaped to his paws as he heard the cowardly Willowstar's yowl. "Fox-dung!" He snarled to no one in particular, unsheathing his claws and spinning around to prepare for battle. It looked as though ShadowClan had brought a good-sized patrol. But he was beyond caring.

Hunger for blood and revenge filled his gaze, and a fury filled his chest that he had never felt before. Even when Emberheart had died, this rage had not been so powerful. It's time to right what has wronged. The blood of ShadowClan will spill on the very land you died on, my dear mentor, he thought, eyes filled with fury as he sprang forward, pelting through the bushes and towards the approaching ShadowClan patrol. He didn't care that he was being stupid, running head-first into an out-numbered battle, or that he was heading straight for the ShadowClan leader. He wanted ShadowClan blood on his paws. He wanted to taste it in his mouth. She would give it to him whether she liked it or not. With a screech of blood-curdling vengeance and fury, he sprang at Willowstar, eyes black with rage while his brain was swarmed with memories of his mentor. His first training session, the first squirrel he had caught, his first fighting lesson.

The memories were there, but they were not enough to ease his grief. They would never be enough. He knew, somewhere in his heart, that no vengeance was enough. He could shred the cat who had slaughtered his mentor, whomever that cat was, he did not know, but even if he did so a million times, the vengeance would bring nothing but more sorrow and loss. I've waited for this day for so long. When I rip your lives from you, I'll have to remember to thank you for leading your weakling birds so foolishly into a battle they could never win, he thought, the words forming in his mind like venom. And when I kill you, I hope the last thing you see is the sight of my mentor's body lying dead because of one of your filthy warriors. His tail was up, no fear was in his eyes, and he was shouldering his way through his enemies to reach the one he wanted to shred above all. Willowstar.

[tenacious]

All he was aware of was Bracknheart running towards the battle. Running towards the battle. “Brackenheart!” Crowtail cried as he charged forward, yellow eyes flashing at the overwhelming stench of ShadowClan. There seemed to be many cats, he could make out their individual scents. The patrol would be outnumbered; Brackenheart was asking to die. Crowtail flinched at the battle cry, at a snarl slipping into the air, and then a tortoiseshell appeared out of nowhere. The small black tom ran left quickly, coming to a halt as best as he could, barely managing to stay on his paws.

Great StarClan!

The tom facing him unsheathed his claws; hatred burned in the other’s eyes and then Crowtail slid his own claws out of their sheathes, for he was more then willing to give his life for ThunderClan. ShadowClan needed to know they could not attack any Clan and gain land whenever they wished. Why was ShadowClan attacking them anyway? Yes, Elkstar had backed out of battle for the moor, but they could never drive all of ThunderClan out, espiecally not with a patrol this small. They would be better off fighting for the moorland against RiverClan. Of course, tales told that ShadowClan respected honor. Cowards were not honorable; had Willowstar seen Elkstar’s noble move as cowardly?

He forgot his Clanmate as anger rushed through Crowtail as he forgot Bracknheart and leapt at Swampclaw. The tom was not large, but he wasn’t fast enough to dodge, and Crowtail scored his claws down the Shadowclanner’s face. Swampclaw held back a yowl of pain before leaping at Crowtail once more, this time taking the smaller cat down. His eyes narrowed as he snarled, Die, you puny cat. He thought viciously before flipping Crowtail over and dragging sharpened claws down the black tom’s spine.

Crowtail’s eyes flooded with pain and he clawed against the ground before tearing himself away, leaving clumps of black fur in Swampclaw’s claws. When he turned, the ShadowClan cat stared at the blood on the ground for a moment before running at the warrior once more.

This land will be ShadowClan’s! Swampclaw thought.

And Crowtail’s own were exactly the opposite.

[Deleted]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] Orders fell on numb ears as the ShadowClan warrior heaved himself up out of his nest that cold morning. Somewhere in his head, he thought that this might be how an elder felt all day long, all creaky and frozen. The thought seemed far away, however. It was dull and therefore, ignorable. Wolfclaw shook his fur from time to time, fluffing himself up against the cold wind. His fur hadn't built up against the snow and ice quite yet. Against his comrades, he looked smaller than usual. He stalked out of camp well enough, following his leader's commands without almost any thought process. The night before, he had come back to find a warrior waiting for him with dispatch orders for the next battle. He hadn't been exactly thrilled with the idea, but far be it from him to ignore Willowstar's commands. Clan leaders were meant to be respected, regardless of wether or not a warrior disagreed with them. Wolfclaw remained, almost literally, asleep on his paws until his nose inhaled the sharp scent of the thunderpath. He sneezed and shook his neck fur, wrinkling his nose in disgust. He almost wished Dewcloud hadn't helped him with his bloody nose yesterday. His leader's words drew his attention back, this time more fully. Good, sane, logical orders, given the circumstances. Besides, what did ThunderClan need snakerocks for? ShadowClan warriors were the hunters of serpents, not those tree-dwelling squirrel-hunters. The next phase of the attack passed in seconds. He streaked across the thunderpath, though attempted to stay a paw behind Willowstar so as to not challenge her position as raid-leader (also to avoid losing his ears). The open space of snakerocks calmed Wolfclaw, if only for a moment. At least he would be able to see who he was fighting and what his surroundings were. "They’re here. Prepare for battle!” The order caught the warrior off guard. He had been admiring the area for a split second and suddenly half the patrol was flinging themselves at ThunderClan cats! Perhaps his nose wasn't working quite as well as he'd hoped. He crouched down and stared out at the scene, waiting for a ThunderClan cat to engage him in combat. This wasn't a fight he agreed with, so he would defend himself and his clanmates. He wouldn't attack unless directly ordered. Besides, Willowstar had only said 'Prepare' not 'Attack'. Word Count: 390 Attacking: No one Comments: None

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] The tan tabby hadn't imagined today would be so exciting! She had woken up before sunrise, not like her usual self. Perhaps it was the prospect of being a WindClan cat that had her up and running this morning. Literally. She had jumped out of her nest and ran into the middle of camp, stretching and yawning loudly to welcome the new day. She had spotted Vixenfang then. Her old mentor shared her secret. She was also gathering a patrol. Border patrol. Just the thing she needed to focus this extra energy on. What a thrill this turned out to be. Snakerocks was the last place the she-cat was expecting ShadowClan to attack. It was the yowl she heard first, then she followed it, ignoring the safety of numbers and staying with the border patrol. However, she didn't attack. She paused under a bramble bush, staring out in disbelief as she gazed upon the scene. Willowstar herself had come to mount an attack... in snakerocks? Why? What use was a terrain of venomous snakes to her? Then she remembered the old elders saying about ShadowClan. No clan was more thirsty for territory. Her first thought was to run and let them have the snake-infested place. However, she was too fond of the memories in this area. Only recently had she caught three adders here, shutting up her sister for a good long while. Then again, she was planning on leaving ThunderClan anyway... The deciding factor came when Willowstar attacked the patrol directly, flinging herself at an orange tabby pelt. Had that been Vixenfang? It happened too fast for her to tell. The young she-cat leapt into the fray, slashing at the cat nearest to Willowstar. Word Count: 283 Attacking: Any Comments: None

[blackie]

Swirls of gray floated around in the somber mood that breathed down the necks of the patrol. With each breath puffs of gray appeared in the air. It was cold. Colder than usual. Even the light from the sun didn't give a warm feeling. The light was not golden. It was a pale light. Not even a light if you will. Blue eyes were almost shut closed. This memory was almost to clear, and perhaps it would be happening again.

Her paw steps fell in the same rythem as Willowstars. It was steady and never changed. Not to fast and not to slow, however in order to keep the blood running and to keep warm. She fell into step with Wolfclaw."Lets make a promise we wont die today..." SHe nodded making sure he knew she promised and came to a stop besides the monster path. She waited for her leader to make the call and they crossed together.

“I am hoping to encounter a ThunderClan dawn patrol once we are over there. If we don’t, we shall lay scent markers and wait for one. We are not going to be overzealous and head to their camp. We are not trying to drive ThunderClan out. That is not our goal. We are simply taking some of their prey rich territory for our own. When we do meet a patrol, let them flee, do not pursue. Understand?”


Crowfrost nodded at her leaders words. If they didn't encounter they would just leave scent markers until they did. Willowstar really wanted to take Elkstars territory. However didn't it make sense to snag part of Windclan's lush moor lands? The thought sounded more appealing however she would not dare to question her leaders logic. Willowstar had her reasons for not wanting to go to Windclan's territory today.

“They’re here. Prepare for battle!”

Crowfrost's fur began to rise. So they were here after all. They would have to fight. SHe shuttered at the thought but knew she would have to fight for her clan. She trusted her leader and Wolfclaw she would have to come back alive or she would never forgive herself in the skies of Starclan.
"Where are they...." She waited. Claws unsheathed. She left Willowstars side and hid. She would use her lithe body and skills of her forte, which was sneaking around of course, to fight off this Thunderclan patrol. So she waited, hoping to sink her claws into a cat soon.

[Elkheart]

A piercing battle cry echoed off the emptiness of the forest. The sound was very faint but the Thunderclan leader was sure it was there. Elkstar was wide awake, she knew this moment was coming and she wasn't going to let her Clan go into battle without her. This was Thunderclan's territory and Elkstar would fight till she lost all her nine lives to keep it. Who was Willowstar to think that she could have anything she wanted? What a piece of foxdung!

Elkstar trotted out her den and poked her head into the Warriors' den. She guessed the dawn patrol was already out and padding towards Wilowstar's patrol since some dens were empty. She realized that Vixenfang had taken the dawn patrol herself and let Elkstar sleep in. The leader shook her head but she decided she might as well wake her Clan up and warn them then lead a patrol to the battle.
"Wake up!" she yelled into the Warriors' den then continued, "Shadowclan is attacking and I'm taking another patrol so get up you mouse-brains!" Her voice was stern and demanding, this was serious. Thunderclan could lose their territory if they didn't plan out their strategy. Next, Elkstar dashed into Blizzardfur's den. "Gather any herbs that a cat might need in battle, Blizzardfur, because it's time for Thunderclan to tear Shadowclan apart until they learn their lesson." This time her voice was hard and determined. She would be the one to face Willowstar. It would be a one-on-one battle between two rival leaders. Elkstar knew that she had more agility and balance than Willowstar did. That could help her with the other leader's size. Elkstar took a few deep breaths to organize her thoughts. She closed her eyes and imagined the forest, she knew strategy was the best way to get to scare off Willowstar's little party of cats.

Word Count: 312 - I started to lose muse as I got to the bottom of the post >.<
Music: You Can't Break a Broken Heart by Kate Voegele

[tenacious]

The lithe warrior of ThunderClan twisted his body so that Swampclaw ran right by, never touching a hair on his pelt. He would have to remain defensive until the other tom tired; Crowtail lacked brute strength. He would never be able to win a fight that way. His mind was still whirling as he sank into a light crouched and faced the snarling dark-colored tom. The stench of ShadowClan was unbearable; ThunderClan may lose this fight if fresh warriors did not come, Crowtail realized as he looked at the battling cats. Unless they got ShadowClan into territory they were unable to fight in…he suddenly let out a yowl of pain as a paw connected with his face, throwing him to the ground.

Crowtail was slightly dazed as Swampclaw chuckled sadistically and sank his fangs into the ThunderClan warrior’s shoulder.

“You pathetic excuse for a cat,” Swampclaw snarled as he let go and stepped away. The warrior was still yowling in pain, even when the pressure had relieved itself. Blinking away the pain, Crowtail scrambled to his paws and took a step back. Swampclaw took one forward before suddenly looking away. His face hardened for a moment and then to tortoiseshell was gone. Confusion set in, but Crowtail did not linger on the other’s reasoning for long. He gave his shoulder wound a quick lick before leaping at the first cat he saw: Wolfclaw.
___________
Swampclaw had taken off after Viperfang, for her slashing had nearly caught him. A low growl built up in the tom’s chest as he pushed off from the ground and lunged at the younger cat, paws outstretched and his lips curled away from his bloodied teeth.

[Willow]

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[atrb=background,http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r230/Mica556/willowtablebg.png] attacking xx Brackenheart status xx Fresh injuries xx None fighting moves xx Aiming for the shoulder with her teeth Willowstar’s eyes hardened as ThunderClan cats burst through the dead foliage around her patrol. There were not many, only three. So far, at least. She recognized two of the three, Brackenheart and Crowtail, the younger female was unknown to her. Within seconds, a battle had burst out around the ShadowClan leader with very little warning. Yowls and growls filled the cold morning air. Willowstar stood still for a moment, scenting the air to verify that no other ThunderClan cats were lurking around. When she was satisfied that the patrol consisted of only these three, she met the challenging approach of Brackenheart. He had lost a mentor at the old battle here, she realized with a small smirk. So, you’ve come to exact your vengeance upon me, have you? she asked silently with a challenging gleam in her yellow eyes. Claws unsheathed on the cold ground and she let out a cry before flinging herself at the brown tabby. “Shall we repeat history?” she hissed in a deadly tone as she aimed to sink her teeth into his shoulder. Willowstar was simply trying to provoke him. Enraged warriors were less precise, less thoughtful with the attacks. Though he would be faster and stronger in his anger, he would be less accurate which would give the lean ShadowClan leader the upper hand. Pink lips curled back, revealing her pure white fangs as she attempted to sink her teeth into Brackenheart’s tabbied shoulder. ___________________________________ words xx 240 audience xx Battle thread. music xx Scars – Black Majesty comments xx ShadowClan will be winning the battle, temporarily at least. So keep that in mind during the battle. No more than Elkstar, Vixenfang and perhaps one other ThunderClan cat should join this battle. What’s the fun in the defending side always winning? xD And I suck at battle threads, btw… hence the fail post.

[{Otter}]

Character: Vixenfang
Status: Fresh--just arrived
Injuries: none
Attacking: Wolfclaw--ran around the group to attack from behind.

After nearly half a day spent on the moors talkign to Hawkfang and Shrewclaw, she had finally returned to the forest. Only to find ThunderClan's camp virtually empty. The scent of fear and excitement rested heavily on the brambles surrounding the camp, on the dens, on the ground. Heart racing, Vixenfang caught Elkstar's scent and raced off after it.

It led her to Snakerocks, and as the sounds of shrieking and squealing met her ears, she skidded to a confused stop. ShadowClan? She smelt their scent on the air. Why was ShadowClan attacking? Willowstar had made it very clear that she wanted the moors. She wanted Vixenfang's moors. So why was she attacking here? And was it terribly wrong of Vixenfang to feel relief? Yes, it was. With a shake of her head, the skinny ginger deputy threw herself forward.

It took a few short moments to survey the battle, and at once she spotted a gray ShadowClan warrior not enagaged in any sort of fighting. What was he doing, then? Searching for a ThunderClanner to gang up on? Not on my watch. If this is the last battle I ever fight for ThunderClan, I'll make it count, she snarled to herself. With a burst of speed she raced around the edge of the clearing and threw herself at Wolfclaw's back, claws outstretched and fangs bared as she prepared to latch herself onto his shoulders. Once she sank her fangs into him, she'd never let go.

[blackie]

Character: Crowfrost
Status: Fresh--just arrived
Injuries: none
Attacking: Vixenfang,Defending her friend

Crowfrost was slightly overwhelmed by the yowls and spitting of cats. Perhaps this was how Mallowfang felt. She suddenly understand, slightly, however she would not forgive him. Even the moment she died and went to Starclan. Her eyes Fixed on the fresh Thunderclan patrol. Would Shadowclan honestly be prepared to take on all of Thunderclan?

Her eyes launched to Wolfclaw. Suddenly the heat of battle grew. Her eyes burned with a fiery passion of war. She snarled and let out a battle cry of her own. No one...could touch Wolfclaw. Why had she gotten so defensive. Yes her clan mate was in danger of Vixenfang's attack but...such strong feelings for the tom. She shook that thought away, and tried to react as quickly as she could....

She sprinted, she would have to get through the battling cats, and of course protecting her own tail as she went. She couldn't get attacked or she would never be able to help him. When she was just tail lengths away she jumped. Her hopes were that she had timed it right so the deputy would land on her, and not hurt her best friend.

[Deleted]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] The dark tom stood up on his hind legs as he saw the thin black warrior jumping toward him. He unsheathed his claws and hissed furiously. At the back of his mind, he was wondering why the older tom had attacked him instead of going after some cat his own size. Maybe experience won out over strength. He could certainly out maneuver Wolfclaw with that lithe body. Instead of attacking where the warrior was, Wolfclaw tried to guess where he would be, assuming he would use his speed to overpower him. If it worked, he would have connected several blows to the head and perhaps even slashed an ear. That is, if his aim was spot-on and if he was very, very lucky. Wolfclaw was only vaguely aware of the battle closing in on him. The war cries grew louder and the bodies around him fought fiercely for their respective clans. At a reprieve from their fight, Wolfclaw locked eyes on the smaller warrior until he had turned around completely. He glanced upward at the last second, a shadow in the light catching his eye. Vixenfang was attacking him! He recognized the she-cat from the gatherings. Was he a personal target or was she just fighting on orders? Either way, pain was imminent. He ducked his head and aimed a few slashes at the darker ThunderClanner before being buried under the Deputy. There was a flash of gray and black. Crowfrost's name came to mind, but he didn't know why he was thinking about her. Perhaps his life passing him by before he was ripped to shreds by ThunderClan claws... Word Count: 268 Fending Off: Crowtail and Vixenfang Status: Overwhelmed

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] At the sound of a growl behind her, Viperfang turned and slashed blindly. It could have very well been Elkstar, but her philosophy had always been 'claw the fur off of it first, ask questions later'. Thankfully, after half a second, she recognized a ShadowClan pelt. The name escaped her, as her mind had been so focused on rebuilding WindClan lately, but even the stink told her this old tom was an enemy. Then a thought crossed her mind as she was overpowered by the bigger cat. She kicked with her back paws, attempting to slash at his soft belly. This wasn't her fight. If they weren't on WindClan territory, they weren't her enemies. RiverClan. That was her fight. At least, the ones who wanted the moor. She knew two of them were, by all rights, her real Clanmates. Those were the cats she would fight beside. Viperfang yowled and spat, trying to get away from the tom. Once free, she raced to the edge of the battle, nearest to Vixenfang and hissed low, for only her ears to hear. "This isn't our fight. If we're doing this, let's get on with it now! I'm tired of waiting! I want that moor!" Without waiting for an answer, the she-cat turned tail and ran. Her pelt was bleeding, she knew it. That dark-colored old tom would get his some day, but not now. She needed all her strength to defend her real home, her real clan. Word Count: 241 Fending off: Swampclaw Status: Pissed off

[{Otter}]

Name: Vixenfang
Status: Pretty fresh--about to be outnumbered
Injuries: scratches on left foreleg from Wolfclaw
Attacking: Wolfclaw--landing on back and trying to latch fangs onto right shoulder. Crowfrost can attack her too ^.^

She sprang forward with a snarl. The ShadowClan warrior saw her, but it was too late; she landed square on his back and sank her claws into his shoulders. An pained yowl tore from her throat as Wolfclaw twisted and raked his claws over her left foreleg, scoring deep gashes, but nothing too devastating...yet. She was not about to dodge away now. With a snarl she aimed to sink her fangs into the enemy's right shoulder. Once her fangs were latched, no cat would get her off.

From the corner of her eyes she spotted a gray blur, and she realized whatever cat this was had attempted to reach them in time to knock her out of the way. Vixenfang released a snarl but knew she couldn't afford to release Wolfclaw and look around. If there was another ShadowClan warrior about to attack her, she'd find out in a few moments. I may not be much, but I don't give up easily, you scum of the forest, she thought furiously. How dare they try to steal from ThunderClan?

"This isn't our fight. If we're doing this, let's get on with it now! I'm tired of waiting! I want that moor!"

The words were spoken softly, thankfully, and Vixenfang had no chance to turn and see who had spoken. She didn't need to--she could make out Viperfang's voice. But as the she-cat spoke, Vixenfang's eyes narrowed, and she tried to sink her teeth in further to Wolfclaw's shoulder as energy flooded her body. No, Viperfang, she thought as the young warrior ran off. We are WindClan, but WindClan doesn't exist yet. ShadowClan are always the enemy. We fight against our enemies. If this half-moon was the last they spent in ThunderClan, it should be the moon of the most loyalty.

((Rather ironic that the three of them will be Clanmates eventually ^.^))

[tenacious]

Name: Crowtail
Status: Tired
Injuries: He has some scratches on his face, back, and belly
Attacking: Crowfrost; trying to stop her from getting to Vixenfang

Another cat reached Wolfclaw before Crowtail did and the familiar scent of Vixenfang swarmed around him. The lithe cat fell short on purpose, watching as Vixenfang landed on the rival warrior’s back. He snarled as the ShadowClan warrior got in a swipe; their fight was the moor. They should not be attacking ThunderClan! But he could see that the warriors of his Clan seemed to be losing- most were not fresh, after all. His eyes widened with surprise as he spotted a ThunderClan cat running off, but he could not linger on his anger.

The tom dropped into a crouch and lunged at Crowfrost as soon as he spotted her. Vixenfang would have no chance against two ShadowClan warriors- it did not matter how good she was at fighting. These two cats appeared fresh. They would have enough energy to pummel her if they wanted. Crowtail knew he should have more faith in his Clan but, sometimes, he had to be a realist.



Name: Swampclaw
Status: Slightly confused
Injuries: He has some scratches on his face
Attacking: No one, at the moment

Did that she-cat just run away? Swampclaw blinked in confusion before he remembered he was in the midst of a battle. But, still, that cat had just run away! He shook his head, splattering blood on the ground from the scratches the ThunderClan warrior had just given him. He finally began to notice the pain, but Swampclaw attempted to push it to the back of his mind. He could focus on pain later, when there was actually some cat to do something about it.

He flicked an ear before parting his jaws to scent the air. Blood, fear, anger. His lips curled in a dark smirk as he scanned the territory for ThunderClan warriors. Most of them were already engaged in battle- his eyes locked on Vixenfang with Wolfclaw, but he figured the other warrior could handle it. Swampclaw would only assist if death was on the horizon.

[blackie]

Name: Crowfrost
Status: adrenaline rush
Injuries: Injury to left hind leg from Crowtail
Attacking: Crowtail and Vixenfang

Crowfrost hissed in alarm. She hadn't made it in time. She was angry, but she would help. As she jumped forward to slice her claws down the warrior she was attacked from behind. She whipped around to face a warrior from Thunderclan. A tom who she knew very well from Gatherings and gossip and such. Crowtail was his name. Fresh claw marks tainted the side of her left hind leg. It was deep, and would slow the stealthy she-cat down but she would not give up hope."Wolfclaw....I'm sorry...."She muttered under her breath. Her thoughts were everywhere. She could feel a rush of adrenaline seeping through her body. She just had one problem. How to use it. She recovered quickly from Crowtails surprise attack, that's when she snapped back into reality. She lifted a paw and swiped down towards the toms face, in hopes of knocking him away, or causing a serious injury, However both felt nice to her..


ooc:Suckish...had no time. Got in trouble for not studying for my finals.