Foxpaw was facing Dawnflower his tail lashing. He leaped at her and bowled her over. She threw him off but he was on her again in a second. She lunged at him but he darted to one side and tripped her over. She crashed heavily on one side. He touched a paw to her belly. "I did it!" He yowled delightedly.
"Amazing work," she praised shaking dust from her fur, "It won't be long till you become a warrior now,"  His eyes shone at that idea. A warrior! He knew it would still be a while but the idea thrilled him. "You can hunt for a while now," she told him, "Don't come back without some prey, we need it," Foxpaw nodded enthusiastically and headed into the trees. It was a nice day, slightly chilly, but sunny all the same. Frost made the forest sparkle in the early sun. He scented the air and picked up the smell of mouse. Crouching down in the hunters crouch he stalked forward and pounced. The mouse scrambled away but he caught it with one swift swipe. He scraped dirt over his kill and continued his hunt. Suddenly the stinking smell of Rockclan overwhelmed his senses. He slipped forward and found fresh scent markers, right in his territory! He turned and ran back towards camp. Barging through the entrance he tumbled into Stripestar's den. "Rockclan is stealing territory!" He yelped.
Stripestar swung round, "What?" He asked.
"They've set their scent markers as far as the fallen tree. We can't let them get away with this!"
"We won't," Stripestar promised gravely. He bounded out pf the den and called for attention. "Rockclan has set a new border, in our territory!" He yowled. "We will not let them get away with this, I will lead you, Bearnose, Dawnflower, Sunflare, Greyear, Nightpaw and Foxpaw will join me. The rest of you, guard the camp." Stripestar dashed through the forest his patrol hard on his heals. Foxpaw dashed after them. Stripestar skidded to a halt at the scent markers. "Fresh" he mumbled, "The patrol can't be far." He announced. "We will try to catch them." Together the group of cats dashed along the border. "Patrol ahead!" Called Greyear. Sure enough the stinking smell of Rockclan was fresh on the breeze. Stripestar lifted his tail for a stop.  "Frozenriver!" He called. The deputy of Rockclan slipped out of the bushes.
"Yes?" She asked innocently while her eyes glittered ominously. "What is it?"
"You know very well what it is," spat Stripestar. Frozenriver sneered. With a flick of her tail she gesture her cats forward. She had brought a fighting force. Foxpaw tensed as he cats crouched and spat at them. They were pretty even but they looked fierce. Stripestar yowled "Attack!" And the fighting exploded. Foxpaw leaped at an apprentice, Thunderpaw, he believed his name was. He raked his claws along his side but Thunderpaw bit his leg. He yowled and threw him off. A yowl alerted Foxpaw. A yowl so familiar and full of pain. Greyear! Panicking he ran away from Thunderpaw and into the fray. Greyear was pinned to the ground. She was bleeding heavily. Frozenriver was standing over her, her claws were up and was about to deal a maybe deathly blow. Foxpaw propelled himself forward. "No!" He yowled as she brought her paw down on Greyear.