The sharp tang of herbs wafted up her nostrils as Hawkpaw blearily blinked her eyes and groaned, seeing two round blue eyes peering down at her. She yelped in surprise and scrabbled backward, finding herself in a moss nest woven with soft feathers with an anxious Fuzzypaw hovering above her.

"Wha-what are you doing?" She stammered.

"Are you okay?" She mewed ignoring her question.

She curled her lip, "not after that. Why am I in the medicine cat's den anyways?"

Fuzzypaw sat back and traced the dirt with her paw, "well...you fainted this morning after Duckfeather and I returned from the Moonpool. It was really strange."

"Strange?" she echoed.

"Every time someone would get a rabbit length near you, your whole body starting spasming and you would screech furiously like you were being attacked. It took Tallwhisker, Sparrowclaw, Lavenderstripe and Lightningmask to drag you here." Hawkpaw felt her breath catch in her throat. I was doing that? Why? Is there something wrong with me? 

Fuzzypaw noticed her frightened face and quickly meowed, "but don't worry! You're all right now!" She gave a nervous laugh and started towards the back of the den. "I'll fetch you some thyme and poppy seeds. Be right back!" Hawkpaw frowned and was staring at her paws when Duckfeather came in with a wad of soaked moss. He laid it down in front of her and she flicked her ear before fervently drinking the water. 

"Are you alright, Hawkpaw?"

"Yeah, I'm better now, thanks." He eyed her thoughtfully before heading over to a wall of the cave and arranging a supply of herbs. Fuzzypaw trotted back and dropped a bundle as she sorted through it.

"Let's see, start by eating these." She pushed several small, dusky green leaves on a brittle stem towards her. Hawkpaw reluctantly chewed on them, trying to hide her grimace from the sour taste. "Here are some poppy seeds as well," She nosed small black seeds to her and she lapped them up quietly, glad for the soothing herbs.

"Thank you, Dazedpaw," she muttered and saw Fuzzypaw fidget with glee. Don't get so happy, it's a small compliment, she growled in her head. 

"Fuzzypaw, was that the last of our thyme supply?" Duckfeather meowed.

"Yeah, should I fetch more?"

"It's okay, I'll get some. There were some other herbs I want to gather anyways so I might be awhile. Can you manage until I get back?"

"Yup!" she smiled. 

"I should hope so," he scowled. "Take care then. Make sure Hawkpaw has plenty to drink."

"Okay," Fuzzypaw hummed to herself happily as she sorted through a pile of leaves. She is certainly a weird cat, she thought to herself.

Hawkpaw laid her head on her paws, screwing her eyes shut as she tried to block out the sound of her Clanmates who were gossiping. Ugh, why must they chatter like robins? I'll never rest with them!

All of a sudden, an ear-splitting yowl reverberated around the hollow making her ears prick as she shot up. What was that? Lilyflower erupted from the thorn tunnel, her eyes round like two moons, startling the cats in the camp.

"Lilyflower? What's wrong?" Brighteyes mewed.

"Dogs! By the Twoleg Greenleaf campsite!"

"Dogs? How many?" Morningstar asked.

"I think only two but Cloudchaser is by himself fighting them off, he needs help!" she wheezed.

Daisypelt emerged from the nursery, Softkit and Cherrykit tumbling after her. Her voice shook with panic as she spoke, "Cloudchaser's alone? We have to help him now! He could get hurt." 

"We will," Webfur assured her.

"That's right, he is our Clanmate, we won't abandon him." Ravenpelt meowed.

Softkit cocked her head, "what's happening?" 

"Daisypelt?" Cherrykit squeaked.

"Come, little ones. Let's go back inside, everything's going to be okay," Raindapple murmured as she herded them in the nursery. 

"What about, Daisypelt?"

"She will be coming shortly."

Hawkpaw dug her claws in the bed, we lost too many cats already. I'm not letting StarClan take Cloudchaser too!

"Let's go now. I want Sparrowclaw, Brighteyes, Gentleleaf, Ravenpelt and Moonface to come." Flareheart instructed and started for the entrance. Hawkpaw frantically got up but Fuzzypaw blocked her path. 

"What are you trying to do? You can't fight now!"

"Get out of my way, I'm not injured," she snarled as she shouldered past the black-and-white she-cat. 

"But you collapsed suddenly earlier and we don't know why, what if that happens again while you're fighting? You could become seriously wounded," she cried.

"I'll just have to take that chance. I am not letting anyone else die," she growled before bounding towards the battle party. "Wait for me!" 

Flareheart twisted her head around and hesitated, "Hawkpaw? Are you sure you want to come?"

"Positive. I'm itching for a little action," she mewed. 

Flareheart flicked her tail in acknowledgement. "Come along then. Remember everything you were taught and be careful." Hawkpaw nodded and eagerly followed the patrol, glancing back at Fuzzypaw who stared after them anxiously. She gave an apologetic smile before pushing through the tunnel. Don't worry, Cloudchaser. We're on our way, just hold out a little longer. Don't forget about your family, they still need you. She shuddered at the thought of Softkit and Cherrykit seeing their father torn apart, brutally killed by the dogs. She could not allow them to have a future like that, no one should suffer like how she and her littermates did. 

The canopy of the trees were like clouds of green, rustling in the gentle breeze that kissed that leaves. A few falling leaves tumbled from the interlocking branches above, branches that grew so thickly only bright gaps of sunshine could break through. She sneezed as a tiny leaf drifted onto her nose, it's stem poking her eye. The woods were serenely quiet and calm, the melodious chorus of the birds whisked in the air. 

Then, a barking sounded abruptly making Hawkpaw's pelt bristle as she quickened her pace. In a narrow clearing, two large dogs were snarling at Cloudchaser, his blood-stained sides heaving. They had long teeth that were jutting out of their mouths, their eyes burning as they swung their massive heads towards the patrol. The smaller dog, a brown mutt, lowered its tail and let out a low guttural growl. The other dog barked and hurled forward, its thin black coat standing out against the forest. Hawkpaw's green eyes burned with determination, I'm going to fend off these dogs for the sake of my Clanmates lives!

"Attack!" Flareheart's yowl urged Hawkpaw on. She nimbly jumped out of the way and twisted in the air, landing squarely on its back as it landed. The dog ran around, trying to shake her off but she only tightened her grip and bit into its neck, making it whimper softly. Moonface and Sparrowclaw joined in, nipping at its legs. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Brighteyes help Cloudchaser hide in a nearby bush before leaping back into the battle. The others were fighting off the brown dog, its fear plain to see as they swiped at it. 

The dog underneath Hawkpaw suddenly rammed against a tree, sending her flying into a rock and knocking the wind out of her lungs. She crumpled onto the dirt and lied on the ground, gasping for breath. The dog opened its jaws, saliva dripping from its fangs as it was about to snap them shut, but Sparrowclaw hopped in front of it and sliced his claws over its muzzle. Blood sprayed the grass and the dog swished its tail in irritation. 

Flareheart's group managed to force the other dog back, its whines piercing the air before it ran away, yipping loudly. The black dog glanced up and snarled, cornered by the cats. 

"Are you alright?" Gentleleaf asked worriedly.

"I'm good," Hawkpaw huffed as she struggled back up. "Just winded." She fluffed up her pelt to make herself look twice her size and arched her back, hissing at the intruder. Her Clanmates ferociously clawed the dog, its howls of pain echoing in her ears making her flatten them. She bit its paw sending it scrambling away and crashing through the bracken. Flareheart let out a yowl of triumph, the others joining her. 

"We did it!" Moonface meowed.

"Pesky dogs," Ravenpelt growled and shook out his fur.

"Is everyone okay," Flareheart looked around.

"What about, Cloudchaser?" Gentleleaf fretted.

"I hid him in that bush over there," Brighteyes mewed. "He has some pretty bad wounds. He should be taken back immediately."

"I'll help carry him back," Sparrowclaw offered. Flareheart nodded and turned to Hawkpaw.

"Good job today. You fought bravely." Hawkpaw puffed out her chest.

"Thank you." 

"Sparrowclaw, go get Cloudchaser and we can head home." The black tom ducked into the shrub, dragging Cloudchaser out by his scruff and Moonface hurriedly helped to haul him onto Sparrowclaw's back. They trudged back to camp, Sparrowclaw panting heavily from the extra weight on top of him. 

As they came out of the tunnel, Daisypelt looked up and gasped, "Cloudchaser!" She raced over and started sniffing her mate fearfully. 

"Let them through, Daisypelt. He needs to be treated by Duckfeather quickly." Brighteyes gently pushed back the cream she-cat with her tail. Hawkpaw saw Fuzzypaw poke her head out from the medicine cat's den and gulp. 

"Where is Duckfeather?" Moonface asked.

"He's not back yet, I think he went out for herbs." Owlpelt answered nervously. 

Hawkpaw padded over to the medicine cat's den and watched as Sparrowclaw gently laid down the wounded warrior on the cave floor.

"Fuzzypaw, can you manage to care for him?" he meowed.

She took a deep breath, "I have too. Duckfeather isn't here and I can't wait or else it'll be too late." Her round eyes scrunched shut for a moment before she spoke slowly. "I have to ask you to leave, I need to focus. Sorry, Sparrowclaw." He bowed his head before leaving. He glanced at Hawkpaw but just trotted past. Hawkpaw crept inside.

"Dazedpaw, you can't save Cloudchaser. You've barely had any experience!" 

She shifted her gaze downward, "I don't have a choice. Trust me." Hawkpaw raised her eyebrows. Dazedpaw sounds sure of herself, almost like she's been through this before. But that is impossible, so what is it about her?

Fuzzypaw snatched some tall-stemmed, sharp-smelling thistles with dark leaves. She applied it to a bite on Cloudchaser's shoulder and Hawkpaw saw him wince. Fuzzypaw didn't hesitate as she chewed up comfrey, rubbing it on all his major wounds and swiftly covering them with cobwebs. She actually seems to know what she is doing, Hawkpaw admired despite feeling resentful towards the young apprentice. After a few minutes, Fuzzypaw had finished and sat back with a sigh.

"How are your wounds, Hawkpaw?" She was taken aback by the sudden question and completely forgot about herself from being distracted by the medicine cat apprentice working. 

"Oh, just a few scratches. Nothing much," she meowed.

Fuzzypaw walked over and sniffed her pelt. "I might as well get you some dock just in case. I don't want any infections." She pawed at some leaves and crunched on them, gnawing them into a thick poultice. She smeared the herb on her grazes, Hawkpaw stretching her stiff muscles while she was spreading the dressing. 

"There you go," Fuzzypaw mewed. Just then, Duckfeather darted inside the den, leaves hanging from his mouth. His gaze darted from Cloudchaser, to Fuzzypaw, to Hawkpaw and back to Fuzzypaw. He relaxed and dropped the herbs.

"I see you have things under control here. Well done," he said as Fuzzypaw purred. 

"Thank you, Duckfeather!" The old tom grunted and checked Cloudchaser. 

"He'll live, thank StarClan. Hawkpaw, could you calm down Daisypelt meanwhile? She's fretting her whiskers off." Hawkpaw nodded and strode away leaving the two cats. I'll admit Dazedpaw did well back there, but that doesn't change anything. She's still a burr in my fur.

She found Daisypelt pacing in anxious circles by the nursery, Raindapple trying to comfort her as she neared them. Daisypelt glanced up with saddened eyes and meowed, "how is he?"

"He's fine, Duckfeather says he'll live."

Relief flooded her vision and Daisypelt sighed, "Thank StarClan."

Raindapple butted in, "your kits want you. Please can you come back inside now?"

"Of course, I'm sorry. Thank you, Hawkpaw." The queen squeezed inside the den with Raindapple, loud mewls sounding from inside. Hawkpaw trotted away to the Halfrock and sprawled out on top of it, enjoying the heat getting soaked up by her dark pelt. She saw Tallwhisker sit down next to his mate, Gentleleaf. The senior warriors bowed their heads as they spoke softly, Hawkpaw catching snippets of their conversation. 

"...shouldn't have joined them."

Gentleleaf flicked her tail-tip, "I am still a warrior. I am not going to stop protecting my Clan."

Tallwhisker shook his head, "I know that. You ought to be more careful though, I don't want anything to happen to you or them." He twined his pale tail with her's, licking her forehead. 

"Fine, I'll try to take it a bit more easy. But you do know that..."

Hawkpaw couldn't hear anymore. Wonder what they're so worried about. Oh, well. She yawned and twisted around, grooming her fur. The sun was sinking down, the last rays fading away. Her Clanmates were beginning to go to their nests. The elders crawled under the beech tree boughs and Sparrowclaw shot a curious look at the medicine cat's den before padding into the warriors' den with Brighteyes and Lilyflower behind him. Morningstar swept his gaze across the camp atop the highledge. He finally turned around and strode into his den, the brambles swishing. 

"Are you coming, Hawkpaw?" Applepaw mewed.

"Not right now, I don't feel tired." The young tom shrugged and left her, his dark brown tail-tip disappearing inside the apprentices' den. She got up and made her way to the entrance. 

Webfur, who was on guard duty, stopped her, "where are you off to?"

"Just going for a walk," she stated dryly. He knitted his eyebrows together but let her pass. She padded past him and slowed down to a meandering walk. She let her paws guide her and soon found herself at the lake edge. Hawkpaw bent down and lapped at the surface a bit, licking her lips after drinking her fill. She gazed wistfully at the stars shimmering in the bold, night sky. A rustle in some brambles behind her made her whip around to see Russetclaw saunter to the water a few fox-lengths away. He turned his head slowly and stared at her, no expression giving away his feelings. Her paws pricked with unease but she walked up to the border and sat down, challenging him with a fierce glare. 

"What are you doing out here so late?" she questioned as he sat down in front of her, careful to remain on his territory. 

"I could ask the same to you," he responded coolly.

She growled, "I asked first. Or are you just afraid to answer?"

He shifted his gaze, "no. I was just feeling lonely." 

She blinked, "so you came out to the lake in the middle of the night? I don't think that's going to help you. You should creep back to your Clanmates, dungface." Russetclaw flinched.

"They won't want me."

"Why?"

"They don't trust me."

Hawkpaw tilted her head, "why not?"

He hesitated. "I-I can't tell you. Sorry."

She snorted, "well no wonder no one trusts you. You don't even say what's wrong!"

He sighed and looked back at her. "There are some...complications with my parents. Because of their background my Clan doesn't fully trust me. The only reason I'm with ShadowClan still is probably because of Duskfur. She's the only one who isn't wary of me and treats me like her son, even though she already has one. I am very grateful to her and I don't want to let her down, but I still feel unwanted and am not sure how to prove myself." Against her will, Hawkpaw was starting to feel sympathetic towards the tom. 

You can't! she thought angrily. He is an enemy, that's all. Nothing more, nothing less. "Well, I am sorry about your situation but am afraid I can't help. Goodbye," she meowed.

"Wait!" he called after her as she turned away. "What if I tell you everything? Will you help me then?"

"Pathetic. If you're a warrior, you would not be begging your enemy for help. I can see why your Clanmates do not trust you, your too willing to betray them."

"How am I betraying them?"

"Because you are talking to me!" she snarled. 

Russetclaw observed her peculiarly. "Can I meet you tomorrow night?" he finally said.

Hawkpaw was taken aback. "O-of course not!" she sputtered. "I am not going against the warrior code because of you. Goodbye!" She turned tail and fled, unsettled by the ShadowClan warrior. What was all that about? Is he trying to trick me into trusting him so he can learn about ThunderClan? Unfortunately for him, I'm not so gullible. But still, he had a sad look in his eyes. Ahhh! I have to stop thinking about him and pretend our encounter never happened. Yeah, it never happened.