Stars Without Borders

13

Softpaw's paws sounded almost silently as she raced through the brush and into what seemed like a mini war zone. Stunned she stood looking around wildly not knowing who to help or who to attack. Her fur bristled in rage at the cats who dared attack her clan mates and her claw unsheathed as a familiar pelt rammed into her side. The she cat's claws flailed and her heart suddenly was pounding with panic. She knew exactly who this cat was. Splashpaw! Her brother was merciless as he swiped at her eyes as she scrambled up eyes wide with fear and rage.

"Splashpaw! How dare you!"

"I fight for my clan now!" He lunged and she dodged and raced past him dragging her claws down his side, her claws almost getting caught in her brother's fur. She spun around as quickly as he did, but quickly ducked down as he lunged again, this time landing behind her and she quickly moved back away from him trying not to keep her back to him for long.

"I don't want to fight you.." her meow was quiet, but she could see it wouldn't change anything. The burning hatred in her older brother's eyes told her all she needed. Fight or die. With a heavy heart she farted forward, between her brother's legs and turned teaching up and sliced at his belly and he leaped away hissing in furry. As she got back up she didn't have time to dodge white cat that attached itself to her shoulder's with its claws. Softpaw winced in pain, but didn't let out a howl as she crouched low to keep her balance and eyed her brother through narrow slits to see a hint of worry flash in his eyes. The white she-cat dug her claws into her back and her tail lashed angrily as she tried to shake her off, but this was obviously a warrior and the weight was crushing.

"Get off you fat furrball!" She growled and just then a red pelt smashed into the white she-cat knocking her off of Softpaw's shoulders and the small cat blinked appreciably at her leader before launching back at Splashpaw before biting down on his shoulder hard causing him to screech in pain before running off.

"Retreat!" Softpaw didn't know whether to cheer or to sulk as she watched the ShadowClan cats retreat. Everyone was cheering and discussing who was injured and what needed to be done but Softpaw didn't participate in her Clan's enthusiasm as she turned and padded back from where she had came from.

"Softpaw!" Her mentor had caught up to her and she turned to look at him, but her eyes seemed dull even with the yellow shining around the blue in her eyes. "What is it? Where are you going?"

"I.. caught a squirrel in the trees before the battle."

"How did you know there was a battle?" His meow was full of interest as he padded alongside her.

"I heard it," her ears flicked with discomfort as she looked down. "I wish I hadn't though."

"Why?"

"I had to fight my older brother."