He don't know how long they been dozing but he open one eye when he smelt a new scent. Brokenstar came in with a black and white tom with blue eyes. is this the Barley he heard about? Seem Wetpaw and Brownpaw don't need to get him. Guess Brokenstar decided that we need his help so went to get him. He stretch, feeling the sting of his wounds on his pelt. Still can't believe they manage to win against that ambush. He sniff his pelt at all the cobwebs clinging on it. Runningnose did tell him he look like he belong to Shadowclan with all the battle scars he getting. He wish he had a thicker coat to protect against attacks but this just means he need to be faster with dodging. He prod Turtlepaw gently, not realizing she was already awake. They watch Brokenstar leading him to his den, motioning Boulder to join them.
"We have to get close enough to hear it." Turtlepaw whisper as she look around to see if anyone is watching. She led the way around the nursery when Blackfoot stop them.
"Brokenstar want you both into his den." He mew with amusement in his eyes. "As if that isn't where you two were sneaking off to.. Don't forget that we all was apprentices as well. Also as if it needed to be said but all warrior assessments is on hold until we deal with this. Now go on." He watch them pad towards the den.
Walking inside, Nightpaw notice them all sitting with their tail curl around their paws.
"This is Barley. Boulder told me he also had connections to Bloodclan and he escaped them. Nightpaw and Turtlepaw was ambushed by Bloodclan cats. Please tell us exactly what happened and what you noticed." Brokenstar voice is a deep rumble as they sat down.
"They wasn't just attacking us. Seem they wanted to kidnap us and hold us somewhere. As you can see, we fought back fiercely. There was six of them. The orange tabby named Snag was the leader of this attack." Turtlepaw mew as she glance at Nightpaw who nodded.
"One molly seem to be trained in warior techniques as she claw like we do. I believe that she might have joined one of the other clans and left." Nightpaw added. For once his tail is still and his voice is calm and steady.
"Make sense. Bloodclan would spy and see how clan cats fight and use those techniques themselves." Boulder mew softly as he glance at Barley who nodded.
"This doesn't sound like Scourge at all. Which means these are the rebellion. I heard whispers when I was a kit but nothing came of it. Scourge probably killed those leaders before anything can come of it. Be careful if you see two black and white toms as they are his enforcers. They are very deadly and never failed a kill order. I still have friends though haven't talk to them for a long time. Seem I need to reconnect." Barley said with a friendly blink at the two apprentices. "If they already ran off Windclan and attacking Shadowclan, it will only be a matter of time before they set their sights on my barn. That is one thing you clan cats and Bloodclan have in common. You both have a distaste of being around Twolegs."
"Thank you Barley. As always you are quite welcome among us. Don't hesitate to visit if you have any more ideas or news. We will chase out these rogues on our own." Brokenstar mew as he stood up.
"No thank you Brokenstar. Now I will be on the lookout for them. Well I don't want to overstay my welcome. Nice to meet you two." Barley stood up to leave with Boulder leading the way. If he don't ask now, it might be too late. Nightpaw thought as he realize he was leaving.
"Wait. Is there a cat named Claw in Bloodclan? Snag said something about bringing us to Claw." Nightpaw tail twitch as Barley turn to look at him. Turtlepaw look like this was nothing new to her as they wait for his answer.
"Yes there is. Claw is a brown tom with very long claws. He joined before I managed to escape with my sister. Be careful as he loves to use those claws. Good thing Shadowclan apprentices seem to be too much for Bloodclan cats."
As he left, Nightpaw and Turtlepaw glance at each other. Well that one thing they got. Before Brokenstar can ask, a lot of noise sounded outside.
"What is happening now?" He mutter before leaving with them following behind him. Ratscar nearly run into him, seemingly out of breath. Nightpaw watch Boulder and Barley leave before turning his attention to Ratscar.
"Sorry. My family and I fought off more of those rogues. Ran to get help. They are on the Windclan border. Need to go back there!" Ratscar exclaim before tuning to run back out.
"Blossomsky, Tangleburr, Tallpoppy, Newtspeck! Go with him. We need to check the other borders. Blackfoot, who is guarding Snow?" Brokenstar call out. They ran after Ratscar as Brokenstar turn his attention to them. "Need you two to protect the camp." They just nodded as he look over at Blackfoot.
"Deerfoot and Russetfur. This might just be a distraction. A way to thin our numbers so Snow can escape." Blackfoot look worriedly as Brokenstar glance around.
"True. Only elders and queens are here." He mew as he saw Ashfoot and Morningflower poking their head out of the nursery.
"Just because we are old doesn't mean we can't fight. Don't you youngsters worry about us." Ashfur mew as they stretch out their claws.
"Very well. Blackfoot, you are with me. We are both going to Snow." As soon as they left, Nightpaw realize just how quiet the camp is.
He begin pacing back and forth, glancing at the entrance every so often. Turtlepaw sat down, just watching the sides of the camp, her ears perk. The elders stood outside, their fur bristling as the queens duck back inside. Ashfur, Nightpelt and Hollyflower stood in front of the nursery, protecting the entrance. He felt so nervous, waiting for anything to happen. He heard Runningnose come out of his den with leaf wraps. This was just like the badger attack except he didn't know it was happening. There must be battles happening all over their territory. His claws slid in and out as his pelt bristle when he finally heard movement near the entrance. This is it. Glance around, seeing the elders guarding the nursery put him at peace.
He felt his heart thudding in his chest as time seem to slow down. He breathe deeply as he smelt the scent of Shadowclan. In rush a flurry of his clanmates, all bloody and torn to shreds. Pelts begin melting together as he look around. The space seem to close around him as he can't breath. Not now. He hasn't had one for so long that he thought it was over. Closing his eyes, he dug his claws in the ground to steady himself. Breath in, breath out. Feeling Runningnose nudging him, he open his eyes, eating the thyme he set in front of him. The dizziness wore off as the herbs begin their work.
"Need you to help like last time. Are you steady enough?" He mew softly in his ear. He can only nod as he look around. He saw that his mind was playing tricks on him. That everyone had wounds but they are okay and just need some care.
Before he can help, Brokenstar came in with Snow on his back. Runningnose ran to her to check her over as Blackfoot stumble in, with shock in his eyes. What did he see?
"They wasn't trying to rescue her. They wanted to kill her." Was all Brokenstar said as Runningnose took her from his back. Nightpaw grab web, noticing that both Brownpaw and Littlepaw is helping Runningnose with Snow while he help the others. Seem like everyone is in camp.
After helping everyone, Nightpaw lay down, exhausted as Runningnose finish his work. Snow was the worst, looking like she been attacked by foxes and badgers instead of cats. Throughout everything, Nightpaw notice that everyone is in a happy mood, meaning they must have won their fights despite the injuries. He look up as Brokenstar jump onto the Clanrock, raising his tail for silence. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw that Gingerpaw, Mousepaw, and Dawncloud was close to Snow with Ratscar.
"We may have won this battle but we still need to be on alert. This is just their first phase to tired us out. I met the leaders named Snipe and Claw. As you can see, they wanted to kill Snow to keep their plans a secret. She fought with us which is a surprise. Once she awakes, I know she will help us after their betrayal. Due to the battles, prey will be scarce during the day. Which means hunting must be at night." He growls.
"So when do we bring the fight to them?! I'm tired of being on the defensive." Swampcloud asks as he glare at Snow.
"We don't need Snow help. We can hunt them." Whitethroat added.
"What if they got more allies? Have you thought about that? No? Then this meeting is dismissed." Brokenstar hiss as he jump down.
Nightpaw watch as both Swampcloud and Whitethroat went to another group of disgruntled warriors near the elders' den. On the other side of the clearing, there is warriors who seem to agreed with Brokenstar decision to being cautious. Looking for his friends, he saw them go towards Snow until Runningnose wave them away.
"I can't work with everyone crowding us! Will let you know when she wakes up." Runningnose said as he motion Tallpoppy to help him with carrying her into the medicine den.
"Go rest and at moonise I will wake you for your next night lesson." Nightpaw jump a bit as Badgerfang is behind him.
Looking up, Nightpaw saw the sun is going down. Besides he know everyone need a rest after all the fighting they did.
"Alright." He mew as he pad towards his nest, hoping there won't be anything else happening as the clan recovers it strength.