The shadows of approaching cats danced in the light coming from the crack at the bottom of the entrance. They were coming for them. Claws scrapped across the ground, and whispers came from behind the door. They were indecipherable, as the cats were talking quickly, and quietly, their voices barely a mumble. It was quiet other than that noise, and the quiet ringing of silence could be heard in the background. The door entrance swung open, revealing the outline of two cats. They stepped forward, and Shadepaw, who had woken up at the mumbling, stepped defensively in front of his sleeping sisters, his neckfur bristling. He drew his lips back in a snarl, his ears pinned to his head. The cats stepped in, and Shadepaw could see, through the dim light of one of the twolegs strange items, a fox-like she-cat about the same age as him. She came in, her nose high in the air and her tail lashing. Behind her crept a small white tom, who Shadepaw recognized as Claw. I only partly understand why he is here....but why her? He glared glared fox-like cat who had lead the bullying the other day. Claw crept past her, right up to Shadepaw, glancing past him at Mistpaw for a moment. "I-Is she okay? Is she going to be okay?" Claw asked, his voice a very quiet whisper. Shadepaw looked back at her, feeling a sickening feeling of sadness. "I-I don't know...." Shadepaw sighed, still staring at her. Claw, too, stared at her for a moment in sadness, then turned to Shadepaw, "I-I would really like to help you escape....really, I would....but Clear..what would Clear do to me?" Shadepaw then shook his head. "I don't know. You know him better than I do. But please don't do anything to get yourself in trouble. You've already helped enough." he said, the sarcasm in his voice showing a bit more in the next sentence, "Even if it was your group and family that caused all of this suffering...." Vixen flattened her ears at that, "I suppose you think we are all family here, don't you?" she spat. "I could hardly care less about these mangy fleabags! Just like my brother has proved, falling for a intruder." she rolled her eyes. Shadepaw smoothed his hackles, hearing the last part. If she could hardly care less about these, maybe he could get her help them. Maybe. "So you don't care for any of them?" he asked cautiously. Vixen smirked a bit, "Don't think that means I care for you. I'm not like my brother." Shadepaw flattened his ears at her, "Then why did you come?" Vixen jerked her head towards Claw, who had sat the argument out. Claw raised his head. "I really want to help, but I wouldn't be welcome here anymore. I would have to leave," he sighed. Shadepaw opened his mouth to argue, but Claw continued on, "We could at least help you two out. Im not so sure about the others. They're better guarded. But...we could try." Shadepaw closed his mouth, and opened it again, but words wouldn't come out. He hadn't expected an offer for help. Obviously, Vixen hadn't either. "Claw! These are intruders!" she hissed. He narrowed his eyes at her. "No, we're the intruders." then he turned back to Shade. "Most of the cats are asleep. There are only guards at the door to leave, but I know a way out. I'll help you carry Mistpaw." he took a step towards her but Shadepaw growled and stepped in front of her. Then he forced himself to sound more kind as he said, "Thank you for your help, but I think I can carry her myself." Claw hesitated, but dipped his head. "You might want to wake up your other sister, then. I'll take her first, then you and Mistpaw." Shadepaw unhappily padded over to Frostpaw. He whispered something in her ear once she had woke up, and she nodded. She then followed Claw out the door, obviously ready to defend herself if she needed to.

But she hadn't needed to. And soon enough, Claw came back to help Shadepaw and Mistpaw. Shadepaw picked Mistpaw up and carried her on his shoulders, obviously struggling a bit, as she hardly weighed less than him. They came to a cracked window, at which Claw let Shadepaw climb up first, then he passed him Mistpaw, who was still in a deep sleep. As soon as they were outside, Claw led them to meet Frostpaw and Vixen, who were under a bush nearby. They sat down together, talking in hushed voices. "We need to save Amberriver or Owlfeather first. They can help us with Twistedwillow." Frostpaw whispered. Shadepaw nodded, "Mistpaw will stay here. I think that Vixen should stay with her. Amberriver and Owlfeather won't be happy to see one rogue, let alone two. Me and Claw can go and save them, but I want Frostpaw to stay here." Vixen narrowed her eyes, knowing she wasnt trusted, but nodded. Frostpaw nodded, too. And with that Shadepaw and Claw walked back towards the house, while Frostpaw and Vixen watched.