Gorsepaw's first thought was that it was a dog. But then she realized that it was snarling, not barking. Sunnybreeze streaked towards the fox, raking it's muzzle with his claws. Gorsepaw's body flooded with energetic excitement, and she dashed towards the fox. My first battle! Maybe if I scare off the fox I'll be made a warrior sooner!

"Gorsepaw! Get away!" Sunnybreeze screeched as Gorsepaw lunged at the fox.

"I got thi—" powerful jaws clamped around her sides, cutting her off. "Help!" She screeched, writhing in the fox's grasp. She was flung across the clearing and into a wall.

The last thing she saw was the fox picking her up. And the last thing she heard was Swiftheart's terrified whisper "...accidents will happen and the gorse will disappear..."

***

"Nnnngh...." Gorsepaw moaned, blinking open her eyes wearily. "Wha...?" She looked around in confusion. She was in an unfamiliar place, strange smooth material that smelled like trees was everywhere, and a calico she-cat was staring at her frantically.

"Timber! She's waking up, come here!" The she-cat exclaimed. A muscular brown tom padded into view.

"Well! Will you look at that? I thought it'd be a goner." The she-cat shot a glare at the tom, who must be Timber.

"Wha?" Timber complained. "Can't you get a joke, Julie? Sheesh..." Gorsepaw struggled to her feet, but Julie sat her back down.

"No, no, no!" The she-cat exclaimed. "You were just about murdered by one of them foxes! Do you think I'd let you off the hook so easily?" Gorsepaw opened her mouth to protest, but Julie interrupted sternly. "You're not getting anywhere until you're healed up. Got it?"

Gorsepaw sighed. "F-fine." She croaked hoarsely, suddenly realizing the dried blood clumped around her throat. Timber looked at her sympathetically.

"Don't worry, young'n. I'll go get some prey." The tom padded off, his tail held high above his head and a loud purr rumbling in his throat.

Gorsepaw sighed. "I guess I'll be stuck here... Right?" She croaked. Julie nodded.

"Don't worry little one, you'll be getting my back to where you were before long." The she-cat said warmly.

Gorsepaw curled up and rested a forepaw on her muzzle, hoping to fall asleep.