The air is tense as Nightpaw glance between Brokenstar and Ratscar. How does Ratscar know this rogue? He notice Snow looking around before glaring at Ratscar.
"So guess you refuse to say it. I'm Bark's sister. So this is where you been after you abandoned your family." Snow eyes narrow as her neck fur bristled in anger.
"I didn't abandon you. I went back after hunting and saw those bloodclan cats destroying our camp. They killed our mother and brother when they tried to fight. Didn't see you so thought you was dead as well. Sorry if I didn't want to throw away my life." Ratscar hiss with a swipe of his forepaw. She flinch despite him not being close enough to hit her.
"Enough. Ratscar, go hunt. Burn off some of that energy." Brokenstar watch him as he let out a small hiss and left.
"His name is Ratscar now? Guess it a bit better than Bark." Snow murmur as she watch him leave, a small glint of emotion in her eyes before hardening as she sat down.
"Be quiet. Follow us and don't think about running." Stumpytail growl as Brokenstar led the way through the forest.
Rowanberry is walking besides Snow while Stumpytail is behind her. Littlepaw and Turtlepaw is besides Nightpaw, following behind the warriors. After a long trek, going under broken trees and passing small ponds, they arrive at a small hill cliff. There is trees on the top and the hill itself seem to be scoop out to become a den.
"Ask the elders last night if there was a place they find on their walks. A place to be a den in case we need it for sickness....or prisoners. This is where you will be staying Snow. Stumpytail and Roawnberry will take the first watch. Don't even think of trying to escape. We know the territory and will catch you. I will be back soon." Brokenstar wait until Snow went inside. There is one nest there with three pieces of fresh kill. She glance back at him with surprise in her eyes.
"Had Tangleburr hunt while Littlepaw was telling us how they captured you. Also made a small nest as well. Rowanberry will escort you to make dirt. We aren't as dumb as you might think." Brokenstar gave a smirk as they left.
Nightpaw stare admiringly at Brokenstar as they went back the way they came. Brokenstar just found out he had a prisoner, had it all set up before leading her to her prison. He wish he can be like that. He just had that strength when everything a mess. Finding out Ratscar is related to a bloodclan cat, the attacks and preparing for more. Not to mention the missing Windclan cats and Thunderclan seemingly want to attack them too.
"How does he keep it together? How can I become that when I get into panic attacks? I must get stronger. I must be stronger." He murmur under his breath.
He stare at the ground as he walk, flinching when he felt Turtlepaw's fur brush his side. Looking up, he smile as he saw her glance of concern. He wasn't alone though. He have friends. It's nice to be reminded of that as he glance over his other side, seeing Littlepaw looking at him as well. They went inside the camp and Brokenstar jump up on the clan rock. Looking around, he saw that most of the clan is talking to each other. It as if they been waiting for Brokenstar to address them. Even Morningflower, Ashfoot is sitting outside the nursery, with Eaglekit playing with Brightflower.
"I'm sure the news has spread. We have one of theirs in our prison. Stumpytail and Rowanberry is guarding her. I want her guarded at all times. She isn't talking now but I'm sure we can get info out of her. I'm not going to sit here and lie about this situation. Seem we are in the middle of a war. I talked to Raggedstar and he said as much. Sorry Ashfoot and Morningflower, they didn't say anything about Windclan. Seem Bloodclan a bigger threat than we thought. Want everyone to be alert. For both Thunderclan and Bloodclan as we can't ignore the threats last Gathering. Want Snow guarded while we carry out our usual patrols. Flintfang, you will be taking Stumpytail place tonight. Newtspeck, you will be taking Rowanberry. Want our apprentices to take extra battle practice. Blackfoot will take over command as I go talk to Ratscar. Dismissed!" Brokenstar jump down and left the camp to find Ratscar.
Badgerfang walk towards Nightpaw, motioning him to join him. He was hoping to find Wetpaw and Brownpaw to tell them about tonight, since they are often gone before the others. Before he left Littlepaw and Turtlepaw, he whisper to tell the others about tonight. They gave a nod before they separate.
"What was that about?" Badgerfang tilt his head as he finally join him.
"Just wanting to spend time together. We barely spoke after our time at the Moonstone." His voice had an even tone.
Badgerfang gave a knowing look. "Oh I see. We will hold your warrior's assessment after this situation is dealt with. Don't worry as I'm sure you will pass. First grab something to eat as we go to watch Yellowfang and Wetpaw at the Pine hollow. They are practicing advanced battle techniques." He smile, seeing the excitement in Nightpaw's eyes.
Nightpaw been wanting to see the advanced techniques but every time he asks, Badgerfang would say he wasn't ready. Grabbing a mouse, he quickly follow Badgerfang to the training area where he heard a large thump like a body getting slam on the ground. He saw Yellowfang rear up on her hind legs, grabbing Wetpaw around the neck with her forepaws and held him as they fell to the ground with him beneath her.
"Got to use your weight to your advantage. Also despite me not doing it, I'm in a perfect position to claw your undersides with my back paws." She let Wetpaw up as they got back into battle positions.
Wetpaw rush at her, dodging her paw strikes as he unbalance her. When she stood up on her hind legs, he uses his forepaws to hit her on her underbelly, making her fall on her back. Before she can get up, he already held her down with his claw at her throat. Breathing heavily, she gave a nod to let him know he did good.
Nightpaw quickly ate his mouse, watching with great interest.
Badgerfang gave a small purr of amusement as he watch him. Nightpaw only seem to open up during battle practice. It took a while but Nightpaw fit in so well that others would have mistaken him as clanborn. Of course he would never reveal these thoughts to his apprentice. He even having less panic attacks due to his friendships with the other apprentices. If only he would admit his feelings to Turtlepaw. The whole clan can see it as he brightens up whenever she is around.
"Are you ready? Yellowfang is in charge of this training with Wetpaw. Pay close attention. These moves will save your life." Badgerfang said as Nightpaw pad towards them nervously.
"Badgerfang told me that you been dying to learn these techniques. Let me see your paw strikes against Wetpaw." Yellowfang flick her tail to motion to him to join them in the circle.
Of course, the advanced techniques probably used what they know and build on it. Nightpaw narrow his eyes as he faced him.
"This is going to be fun as I'm not going to be easy on you." Wetpaw mutter as he swipe a paw at him. Nightpaw quickly dodge despite not being ready.
"Wouldn't want you to be." Nightpaw swish his tail as he charge at Wetpaw. Seeing Wetpaw leaning left, he aim a paw strike to the right, trying to predict where he was going to be. Wetpaw duck and swipe a paw to knock him off his paws. He jump up but then got shove, making him fall and roll. Nightpaw spit out some dirt as he glare at him. Wetpaw had a smug expression as he wait for him to get back up.
"You are too careful, Nightpaw. And you are too reckless, Wetpaw. I seen all that I needed. Nightpaw, why did you strike beside him? You are thinking too much. Be in the moment. Wetpaw, you leave too much open. When someone charge at you, don't just wait for them. You both got strengths. Good on the charge and I can see how hard you did that paw strike but you are a bit slow on changing your attack. Wetpaw, you are good at dodging but you use your weight too much. That shove wouldn't do anything to a heavier cat." Yellowfang step between them, stopping the fight.
"But you told me to use my weight more." Wetpaw look confuse as he watch Nightpaw sit down.
"Only when you grapple your opponent. Not when they are attacking you in full force. When you grapple them, then you use your weight to your advantage. Going to teach you how to get out of holds and how other clans attack." Yellowfang motion to Badgerfang to join the demonstration.
"Now watch carefully. This is a move that Thunderclan is very fond of. Badgerfang hold me down please." Nightpaw and Wetpaw left the hollow so they can watch with great interest.
Badgerfang place his whole weight on Yellowfang, making sure she can't move.
"When you pin down your opponent, you are supposed to let them run away right? After all we don't need to kill to win our fights. But Thunderclan like to use that to their advantage. They act like they give up but then...." In a burst of power, Yellowfang toss Badgerfang off her back and attack fast, pining him instead. "This is a basic move but Thunderclan uses it every chance they get. We use it but some cats forget about it, thinking it has no place on the battlefield." She got off of Badgerfang, letting him get up.
"That isn't all. Thunderclan cats like to tuck their tails so we can't grab it. They also slick down their fur, trying to seem weaker than they are. Tigerclaw is the only cat who don't do this. But his huge claws give him a powerful swipe. They also aim for our ears, tails and legs the most. To counter this, we keep our ears flat against our heads and keep moving. Be aware of your surroundings."
"What about rogues? I only fought one and he just do whatever. Very unpredictable." Nightpaw asks with a flick of his tail tip.
"Trained warriors are more of a threat than some rogues. Focus on one problem at a time. That your problem, Nightpaw. You try to do everything at once." Wetpaw sigh as he glance at him.
His fur bristle but he knew Wetpaw is right. Yellowfang gave them a few rounds of practice. Soon the others joined and they all got a bit better at fighting. Yellowfang even taught them how to take on multiple enemies in case they were surrounded and team moves. Nightpaw grin when he teamed up with Turtlepaw. It seem she saw his weakness and use her strength to overcome any blind spots. Turtlepaw was the decisive movements that he lack. She grin back as her paw strikes and fluid movement is fast enough to cover him. Wetpaw and Littlepaw seem to get in each other way during the match. They often trip over each other and Yellowfang stop the match.
"It seems you both trust each other deeply. That is why you both are good with each other. Keep practicing and you will become each other shadows. Haven't seen teamwork like that since Blackfoot and Brokenstar. They are a force to be reckoned with when they get serious." Yellowfang blink warmly at them. Her expression turn cold when she look at Littlepaw and Wetpaw.
"As for you two. I see you aren't so close despite being brothers. Though I am wise to team up someone small with someone large, your pride is getting in the way. Supposed to be a team. You both need extra practice. So every morning, we are going to be here until you both learn how to work together."
Wetpaw and Littlepaw both whine a bit as they catch their breath. Nightpaw purr as they left the hollow so Yellowfang can teach them more. Despite his feeling of accomplishment, there was an inkling of worry in the back of his mind. What if this isn't enough? What going to happen if they get attacked from both Bloodclan and Thunderclan? What about the prophecy? His tail twitch as he closes his eyes to calm himself.
"There you go worrying again. Relax and trust in us. We got this." Turtlepaw murmur to him quietly. He open his eyes and gave a weak smile.
She wish Nightpaw can stop worrying but that just who he is. Why can't he be as confident as she is? Shadowclan is the strongest clan due to the fact that they fight and can survive no matter the hardships. She remember hearing about the hard leaf bare where they had to hunt the rats just to eat. Even then, they gave it their all when Windclan try to fight them. She believe in her strength despite her bloodline. She going to prove that half clan is just as strong as full clan. Gullpaw don't worry about such things and tells her not to worry too.
But how can she when it's a saying that kittypet blood weakens the clans? She will prove it to everyone. If only cats didn't gossip about her and Nightpaw. He's a great cat but she want to be a strong warrior first. Like Darkflower and Russetfur. It's okay to have both. She glance at him and saw the way he focused on the lessons. She knew he don't think of her like that so she just push those emotions down. Maybe someday in the future but not now.