Flamefur's POV:

There it was.

The Lightclan borderline. Just two tail-lengths away.

Flamefur took in a shaky breath and glanced at her companions. "We aren't welcomed here so we must be stealthy if we want to pull off our plan."

Hazefang and Trueheart nodded and together, the three she cats crept across the border side by side. Flamefur wished Metalclaw was with them, she felt incomplete without him. What was the point of returning to Lightclan if he wasn't there with her? Flamefur shook away the dark thoughts and looked over at Trueheart and Hazefang. She had to help them. She may not want to return home, but they did and she wouldn't abandon them over her own selfish needs.

The three she cats froze when they suddenly heard a voice nearby. Flamefur felt her heart skip a beat and her fur bristled. This could be their only chance to make their plan work.

Flamefur crept behind the shelter of a thick oak tree with Hazefang and Truheart following. They stood completely still, ears pricked and claws ready. The voice came again, more clearly this time.

"This is where Nebulafang was ambushed." It was Darkfeather. Flamefur peeked around the corner to see the dark furred tom pointing to a small clearing just a few fox-lengths away from them. Yellowpelt, Autumnpool and Mistcloud padded over to the clearing to begin examining the area.

Nebulafang was attacked? Flamefur narrowed her eyes. By who?

Autumnpool spoke up. "How far away were you?"

"We were barely a few paces ahead. Whoever attacked her was deadly swift." Darkfeather replied, his voice tight with anxiety.

"Did you see anything at all? Smell any scents?" Autumnpool raised a brow.

"Only a shadow that vanished into the bushes as soon as we turned around. There weren't any scents..." Then the dark furred tom paused and narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Except the strong smell of garlic. But we were probably just near a patch of it."

"I don't smell any garlic right now." Autumnpool whispered, glancing around her. Flamefur ducked back behind the tree when the golden she cat's gaze passed over her. "And why didn't you chase the shadow?"

"We were so shocked we went straight to Nebulafang." Darkfeather replied, his tail flicking with embarrassment. "We barely even noticed the shadow at the time. And once we realised Nebulafang was dead, the attacker would've been long gone."

"I found something." Mistcloud meowed. "A tuft of grey fur. It smells of garlic."

Flamefur felt her heart beat faster. Could it be?

Autumnpool shook her head with a lash of her tail. "They must've rolled in a patch of wild garlic before attacking. Mouse-dung!"

Flamefur glanced over at the other loners beside her. "We must attack now. We're outnumbered, but we can do it. Trueheart you attack Mistcloud- she's a fairly new warrior with little battle experience. Hazefang you take Autumnpool. I'll take Darkfeather and Yellowpelt." Flamefur was confident she could disable the two senior warriors with ease. Thank you Metalclaw. She grinned softly and glanced back at the patrol to see they were moving away. "Come on!"

The three she cat delved after the patrol, claws ready and teeth bared.

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Silvershy's POV:

Silvershy pricked her ears when she heard shocked whispers from the main clearing. She trotted out of the warriors den and gasped when her gaze landed on none other than Flamefur. The amber she cat had Darkfeather and Yellowpelt pinned down under her claws. Hazefang and Trueheart both had Autumnpool and Mistcloud. Flamefur's eyes blazed a dark amber as she glared around camp. Warriors circled around the three outcasts, trying to attack them without getting the captured patrol hurt.

Flamefur growled. "Take one step closer and I'll kill Darkfeather!"

Silvershy gasped at Flamefur. "What are you doing?"

"Returning home!" Flamefur snarled at Silvershy. "And we're using force to do so!"

"What is going on-" Tigerstripe appeared from the leader's den and his eyes widened. "Flamefur?"

Flamefur kept her chin high as she glared boldly at her brother. "Hello brother. How's deputyship?"

Tigerstripe ignored her and stalked closer, his green eyes burning with hatred. "What are you doing here? I could have you killed on the spot for this!"

Flamefur chuckled humorously and a sly grin met her lips. "I'll beat you before you can lift a paw."

Tigerstripe curled his lip into a growl. "Metalclaw may have taught you some new, fancy moves but I am still stronger than you." The broad-shouldered tom glanced at the warriors closest to him- Mousenose and Sunpatch. "If she makes a move, attack and kill all three outcasts." The deputy murmured, barely loud enough for Silvershy to hear.

Flamefur heard as well and fixed her brother with a fierce look, her amber eyes blazing and teeth bared. If looks could kill, Tigerstripe would've dropped dead in a heartbeat. Silvershy shivered, eyeing Flamefur's thin frame. Being a loner had taken a toll on her; whether it was good or bad. She seemed a lot more frightening when she was skinny. Her hollowed eyes seemed to enhance the burning flames that danced in her glowing orbs.

Tigerstripe growled at Flamefur. "Leave now, fox-dung!"

The golden she cat unsheathed her claws and lunged straight for Darkfeather's neck.

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