A Deputy Rises, New Warrior, and Apprentice

    Talonpaw flinched as he felt hot breath down his back, reaching through even his thick fur to touch the skin. It was the ugliest creature he had ever seen. Black and white, rugged fur coated is body, with two tiny, beady black eyes that held no emotion of a sympathetic creature. The ginger tom could hardly run much longer. Talonpaw left tabby clumps behind as he slashed through the thick undergrowth, trying to flee the rouge badger. "H-Help!"
      Ghoststar didn't know the young cat had stumbled upon the beast while exploring off on his own. He was supposed to be with Snakefang, but the young Apprentice had snuck off once again, disobeying orders. The white she cat was munching on a mouse with Tawnynight, both she-cats not really enjoying the other's company but willing to share a meal anyway. Snakefang tromped through the forest, his claws unsheathed with frustration. "Talonpaw! Talonpaw!"
      

        ***

 

        Dark took a deep breath before she stepped over the well marked border line. This could be a start to her new life. If these cats would accept her. Would they? She hoped so. Would it be like being a rouge? Fighting for your rank and respect each and ever day... The black she-cat shook at the thought, feeling the old battle scars hidden under her fur tingle. Dark padded through the soft undergrowth, enjoying the dusk. It was nice here and quiet...A splitting screech shook the air, sending the black she-cat on her toes with back arched.

        A fluffy ginger tom busted through the undergrowth just ahead of her. The badger following him grew closer to snapping at his wide paws with each second. Climb a tree, you stupid kit! The tabby didn't make a move for any trees. Dark let out a frustrated growl, she had to help him, didn't she? It shocked her to feel a pelt beside hers on either side. "Wha? Who are you!?" She slipped out between the two cats, getting into a battle crouch.

        There was a tortoiseshell tom and a feathery gray tabby she-cat. "I'm Thistle. Don't know who this little kit is she just started following me." He spat a bit at the little she-cat. She pricked her ears hopefully.

        "I'm, um, Feather." She still wasn't used to not using her kitty-pet name. "I thought you were heading for this clan too so I'd tag along." Dark shook her head, not really caring who they were. Her thoughts were focused on the endangered kit.

       "Whoever you are, I need your help." She thought on her paws quickly and told them a plan with direct orders. The two cats seemed willing to listen and each went separate directions like she told them.

       "Over here!" Dark hissed to the ginger tabby tom as he raced past her, his breath catching in his throat as he ran out of energy. With a last ditch attempt, he swerved toward her, brown eyes wild. As the badger followed him in hot pursuit, she was ready. The black she-cat leapt in front of it with a mighty hiss, sending it reeling backward for a moment. It fell right into the paws of Feather and Thistle who gave it a few good blows over the eyes and ears. The creature stood, roaring. It's eyes glared at the cats defiantly for a few heart beats, but that quickly switched to fear and the creature went barreling off into the trees in flee.

       "You...You saved me." Talonpaw panted heavily, not even able to stand after running literally for his life. Dark watched the badger leave, licking her muzzle in satisfaction.

        "It was nothing, kit." Thistle and Feather looked at each other then at Dark.

        "Oh, that was more than nothing." Three figures melted out of the foilage like shadows. Nobody had noticed them there. Ghoststar padded over to Talonpaw, licking him gently as she would a startled kit. Dark suddenly felt trapped, and threatened. The stark white she-cat looked up. "You made a brilliant plan back there."

 

 

(Continued in comments)