Survive (Warriors Fanfic) Ch1

"Breezepaw, Lionpaw, you two go hunt. We're going to need all our strength for the home stretch."1

Brambleclaw's voice went straight through Lionpaw's head. The ginger-colored apprentice was busy thinking of other things - or more specifically, other cats. A certain WindClan apprentice with a tongue that could do more damage than his claws. His siblings, Hollypaw and Jaypaw, couldn't stand Breezepaw, and with good reason. The tom was antisocial and egotistical, and as far as Lionpaw had seen, those were his best qualities. Now, his father was sending him off to hunt with the WindClan cat. Great. Rather than arguing, he dipped his head in his father's direction and got up, padding out of the cave they were staying in, and listened for the sounds of pawsteps behind him. The pair traveled in relative silence, Lionpaw's attention mostly focused on the task before them - locating prey.2

"Smell that?" Suddenly, Breezepaw's voice cut through the silence. Lionpaw sucked in air to catch the scent, and picked up the faint odor of mouse.3

"Yeah." He whispered, as to not scare away any nearby prey. "Hear anything?"4

"I'd be pouncing if I did." Breezepaw shot back. Lionpaw turned his head away, grumbling under his breath. He heard the quiet sound of Breezepaw dropping into a hunting crouch, and Lionpaw looked back. The black tom crept forward, muscles moving under his sleek fur. Lionpaw stared at the edges of bright amber eyes, watching them fixate on an object ahead. Suddenly, Breezepaw took off, kicking up leaves behind him. Lionpaw blinked in confusion. Why was the apprentice running after prey that was smaller and faster? Pouncing on it was far easier and more effective.5

"Bree-!" He stopped himself halfway. If he yelled out now, he might startle Breezepaw, and then all hopes of ending the chase successfully would be lost. Lionpaw heard the sound of leaves being crushed, and Breezepaw came trotting back, a limp rabbit in his maw.6

"Oh." Lionpaw's eyes were wide for a moment, and he inwardly scolded himself for confusing such basic scents. "I thought the scent was mouse."7

Breezepaw eyed him for a moment, then dropped the rabbit to the leafy ground.8

"So did I." He licked his jaws. "Must be one around here somewhere."9

"It's probably gone from all the noise you made." He said, then realized how unfriendly that sounded. "Chasing that rabbit." He added an explanation, as if that would help.10

"It'd be nice if you chased a few." He grumbled, and Lionpaw's demeanor fell a little.11

"Fine." He snapped back. "I will." Scenting the air, he caught a familiar smell. Only this time...12

"Breezepaw." He mumbled, then got louder. "Breezepaw, what is that?"13

"What is what?" The tom looked up from where he was standing, eyes formerly cast towards the ground.14

"That scent!" Lionpaw said urgently. He knew what that was. He dared not look in any other direction as he heard the first, thunderous bark.15

"Dogs." Breezepaw breathed behind him.16

In an instant, he felt the air beside him stir as Breezepaw whipped past him. Lionpaw's entire body felt frozen stiff and he could only watch as the other apprentice scaled the nearest tree.17

"What are you doing?" The black tom called down to him once he had reached a suitable branch. "Sitting around and waiting for -?"18

Breezepaw was interrupted by the sound of barks that seemed to shake the ground. Lionpaw still found himself unable to move, body locked with fear.19

"Get up he -!"20

Once again, Breezepaw was cut short. This time, however, for a different reason. The mountainous dog crashed through the shrubbery, and its jaws, seemingly out of nowhere, snapped shut within inches of Lionpaw's stunned face.21

The experience jump started his mind. Letting out a terrified yowl, he spun around and dashed in that direction. The beastly dog howled and flung itself in pursuit. Lionpaw wasn't sure where he was headed, if only it meant escape. He could feel hot breath down his back, hear the dog's heavy panting, only watch and try desperately to escape as an ominous shadow was cast over his form.22

Suddenly, the dog let out a yelp, and Lionpaw no longer felt so closely pursued. He halted and looked, the sight before him shocking.23

Breezepaw was standing on the monstrous beast, claws dug firmly into it's wrinkled back. It bucked and howled, but Breezepaw's grip held tight.24

"Breezepaw!" Lionpaw cried, out of shock or fear, he wasn't sure. Instantly, he leapt to defend the other cat, lashing out at the dog's shoulder. It snapped at him, but quickly he dropped and scored another blow to its raised paw, piercing the sensitive pad beneath.25

"I'm gonna jump," Breezepaw called over the dogs growls and yelps. "Get up the tree!"26

Lionpaw nodded, and Breezepaw leapt to the ground, landing with a thump. The dog, as expected immediately turned toward him, but Breezepaw was too quick. He raced towards the tree, and then jumped, reaching out with outstretched forepaws. Lionpaw's jaw dropped with horror when he realized Breezepaw had timed it wrong, and that the apprentice was going to hit the trunk too low. The dog was going to get to him.27

"Breezepaw, watch out!" He yowled, but too late. He could only watch with horror as the dog's monstrous jaws clenched over the cat's lithe body, squeezing a shriek of pain and terror out of Breezepaw. Lionpaw sprung at the creature's hindquarters, raking his claws down its sides. It howled and spun, but seemed discouraged enough, and headed back into the forest at a quick lope.28

"Breezepaw," Lionpaw panted, hurrying over to the cat's side. "Are you okay?"29

"I..." Breezepaw panted, and to Lionpaw's dismay, his side was wet with blood. "...I don't know."30

"Can you walk?" He inquired further, and received a stressed look from Breezepaw.31

"Do I look like I can?" He snapped. For once, Lionpaw was glad to hear the other cat's temper. At least this meant he was still well enough to keep his attitude.32

"I'll help you, just stand." He insisted.33

"'Just stand', he says..." Breezepaw muttered as he struggled to get up. Once righted, Lionpaw steadied the cat, supporting him with his side. It was easy enough; he often used such methods with Jaypaw in unfamiliar territory. Gently, the two began the journey back to the group. Lionpaw took each step slow, the other cat's fur warm against his, slightly damp with blood. With such a dark pelt, Lionpaw wasn't sure where the bleeding was coming from. He was sure, however, that once they got back to the others, Jaypaw would be able to help.34

"Jaypaw will know what to do," He explained to the other apprentice, "He's really good at what he does."35

"You know..." Breezepaw breathed, not looking at Lionpaw. "You're not...that bad, for a ThunderClan cat."36

Lionpaw took it as a compliment. "Thanks. You're not half bad for a WindClan cat, either." Despite your barbed tongue, he added silently.37

"You're better...don't tell anyone I said this." He looked up sternly, amber eyes glowing with something Lionpaw couldn't place.38

"I won't." He assured. He wasn't entirely sure why he was making any sort of promises with a WindClan cat, but it was too late to take back his words.39

"You're better than any of the WindClan apprentices. None of them like me at all." He grumbled. "My Clan sent me on this trip to get rid of me."40

"I'm sure they like you." Lionpaw reassured him. "And I'm sure they didn't send you with us to get rid of you. They probably thought you'd want to go, seeing as your father was going. And that he'd want to have you along."41

"But he doesn't, does he?" Breezepaw's expression was one of calm acceptance, like he was used to his father's outright dislike of him. Lionpaw didn't answer - even after the little interaction between them he had seen, it was obvious to Lionpaw that Crowfeather didn't think much of his son.42

"Hey!" A voice called from nearby. "Lionpaw!" Lionpaw perked up, it was Hollypaw. She halted in front of them, and immediately her eyes fell onto Breezepaw. "Whoa, what happened?"43

"Dog." Breezepaw snorted. Hollypaw's eyes widened and she sprung away, only to return moments later with everyone else.44

"What happened?" Crowfeather was the first to speak, though it didn't sound like it was out of concern for his son. His words were harsh and laced with disapproval.45

"There was a dog," Breezepaw began to explain. "It came out of nowhere and attacked Lionpaw. That mouse-brain just stood there like a scared kittypet, so I had to help him." Lionpaw noticed all the decency he had just received from Breezepaw was gone - the apprentice was back to his usual ways.46

"Alright," Jaypaw stepped up, sniffing the wounds lightly. "Did you already lick it clean?"47

"No," Breezepaw settled into the grass. "I never got the chance."48

"Well, take care of it then."49

Lionpaw watched Crowfeather carefully. Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight both came over to praise him on chasing off a dog, but the stoic black tom never moved towards his son. Lionpaw wondered, in the back of his mind, why Crowfeather was so indifferent towards his only kit.50

---51

"Alright, WindClan first, then."52

Lionpaw and the other's trudged down a hill, sloping into WindClan territory. Crowfeather and Breezepaw would be the first to be dropped off at their respective clans. The group headed to the border, where they all stopped.53

"Goodbye, Crowfeather." Squirrelflight looked at the cat warmly. "It was nice to be a team again."54

"Yes," Tawnypelt dipped her head slightly. "Like old times."55

"Only this time we have some new additions." Brambleclaw playfully motioned towards Breezepaw. Crowfeather ignored the comment.56

"You all talk like we're never going to see each other again." He grumbled. "I'm just across the lake."57

"Yes, but this is the last time we'll be one." Brambleclaw added.58

"If we ever do meet again, outside a Gathering," Squirrelflight continued. "The circumstances won't be what I'd prefer."59

Lionpaw contemplated the bond these cats seemed to share. It was odd, but at the same time...nice.60

"Don't expect me to go easy on you in a fight!" Tawnypelt called as the two padded away. Lionpaw thought of calling out goodbye to Breezepaw, but what would Hollypaw and Jaypaw think of that?61

"I'm a little glad this is over, personally," Hollypaw commented quietly to he and Jaypaw. "Now we don't have to hear Breezepaw's grumbling."62

Lionpaw normally would have laughed and agreed, but Breezepaw hadn't been half bad on the hunt they had been on. Maybe it was only because of the attack, but Lionpaw couldn't be sure. What if Breezepaw was actually a friendly - or at least tolerable - cat underneath all his sarcastic bitterness?63

Suddenly, Tawnypelt let out a furious hiss.64

"Wha -?" Hollypaw had begun to ask, then she spotted it too. Lionpaw looked downward, and the sight was shocking.65

Crowfeather and Breezepaw were surrounded by a group of threatening figures, about five or six other cats. In an instant, the oldest members of the group had thrown themselves down the hill, to the aid of their former group mates.66

"Come on!" Hollypaw suddenly followed, "We've got to help!"67

"What's going on?" Jaypaw's sightless eyes were wide.68

"Crowfeather and Breezepaw are surrounded." He explained, quickly guiding Jaypaw to the scene. "These cats don't look familiar at all.”69

"Or smell familiar." Jaypaw scrunched his nose. "Or good, for that matter."70

"What is the meaning of this?" Brambleclaw's authoritive voice called over the angry hissing and unsheathing claws. "Who are you, and what is your business here?"71

"We've come to claim what is rightfully ours." A dark brown she-cat hissed.72

"This is WindClan territory!" Crowfeather spat back. "You have no rights here!"73

"Are you so sure?" A light gray tom growled. "We were made an offer to your land many moons ago, and now we've come to claim it."74

"And who made you such an offer?" Brambleclaw asked defensively.75

"A cat who claimed to own part of the previous forest already." An older looking tom answered, leaning in. "He looked quite a bit like you."76

Lionpaw noticed his father visibly tense.77

"What was his name?" Tawnypelt asked. Lionpaw noted how the two siblings seemed to have lost their demanding tone.78

"Tiger...Tigerstar, if I do remember correctly."79

"You do, Gray." A new voice chuckled from behind them. Lionpaw spun around.80

"No..." Brambleclaw's mew was so faint; Lionpaw doubted whether he had truly heard it, or simply imagined it.81

"Hello, Clan cats." The small tom purred, looking content. "Remember me?"82

"Scourge." Tawnypelt whispered.83

"It's good to know that you do." Scourge looked pleased. "Alright, BloodClan, take them to base camp."84

BloodClan? Lionpaw had heard stories about them. Every kit and apprentice had. Even warriors who had not been alive, or too young to remember the fight knew of the cats who almost drove the Clans from the old forest, claiming to be a Clan themselves. They had proven themselves to be a greater threat than even Tigerstar.85

Watch yourself.86

Lionpaw shook his head. Had he imagined that voice?87

"And who are you to tell us what to do?" Breezepaw hissed. "You're kit-sized!"88

Quickly, Crowfeather batted him over the head, hissing lightly. Scourge grimaced.89

"Rough them up a bit for that one," He ordered. "You can begin whenever you like."90

Suddenly, the cats closed in. Lionpaw thought of Jaypaw, but saw no way out of him fighting as well. These cats didn't strike him as ones to care if a cat was blind or not - if it was an enemy, it was an enemy. Besides, if they knew, who was to say they wouldn't exploit that disadvantage and target Jaypaw?91

Lionpaw felt claws rake his back and he swung around, landing a blow to the cat's leg. It was a poor shot, and he knew it. The other did as well, it seemed, as he laughed and leapt up, landing hard on Lionpaw's back, sprawling him belly first onto the ground. In such a position, Lionpaw knew he was near powerless, and yowled as the cat scored his unprotected body.92

Get up. The voice again. Could it be Tigerstar, helping him once more? Get up; you can't let kittypet scum defeat you!93

He felt the weight suddenly lift, and looked up to spot Breezepaw standing over him, looking down.94

"Thanks." He panted.95

"Don't thank me until we've won." Breezepaw growled back, but he could tell the anger was not directed towards him.96

Lionpaw jumped to his feet, and with Tigerstar's message in his mind, leapt at the nearest enemy.