Lionblaze scrambled down the trunk. “Are you okay?”
Dovepaw was staggering on her hind legs while the blackbird struggled and flapped in her grip. She slammed it to the ground and bent to give it the killing bite.
Suddenly, shrieks of terror echoed through the forest. Dovepaw let go of the blackbird. “The fox is in the camp!” She pelted away through the trees as the blackbird fluttered, shouting indignantly, up into the pine tree once more.
Lionblaze launched himself after Dovepaw. Blinded by the snow, he didn’t see Cinderheart till she swerved along beside him.
“What’s going on?” She matched his pace. “What’s all the noise?”
Ivypaw slowed in front of them and hared after Dovepaw.
“The fox is in the hollow!” Lionblaze growled. He pushed harder against the snow, unsheathing his claws.
As they neared camp, Millie came skidding down a slope, showering snow before her. Blossomfall was at her heels. Graystripe and Brightheart were a few steps behind, pelts bristling.
The shrieks from the hollow grew fiercer.
Lionblaze tore through the ragged barrier, shock pulsing through him as he saw the fox. It was circling wildly, huge against the snowy dens, its red pelt like fire next to the icy walls. Poppyfrost and Ferncloud spat, arch-backed, from the nursery entrance, swiping out with unsheathed claws every time the fox whirled near. Jaws snapping, ears flattened, it lashed its tail against the newly built dens. Daisy pressed herself against the medicine den entrance, her fur bushed up, hissing like a cornered snake.
Brambleclaw’s patrol had arrived just ahead of Dovepaw and Lionblaze. The ThunderClan deputy darted between the fox’s front legs, ducking to avoid its teeth. Dustpelt reared up and swiped at its snout, spattering blood over the white clearing. The fox yelped and snapped harder.
As Dustpelt jumped clear, Toadstep raked his claws down the fox’s flank, ripping out hunks of red fur. Blood roared in Lionblaze’s ears. Time seemed to slow down as he crouched with his haunches beneath him, rage welling inside him until he had to force himself to hold back the power pulsing through his muscles. He locked his gaze on the fox until he was blind to everything but its red pelt.
Then he leaped.
He landed square on the creature’s shoulders and sank his teeth deep into its flesh. The fox shrieked and plunged away from him. Lionblaze lost his grip and thudded onto the snowy clearing. With a snarl, Brightheart grabbed hold of its tail. The fox whirled around, smacking the one-eyed warrior against a beech branch. But Brightheart clung on, her lips drawn back and her ears flat.
Dovepaw darted under the fox and nipped at its back legs, while Ivypaw clawed at its front. Cinderheart reared and slashed its snout. Foxleap flung himself with flailing claws at its flank. Eyes white-rimmed with terror and confusion, the fox scrambled for the entrance. Bucking and twisting, it threw Brightheart clear as it tore through the barrier. With a final wail, it pelted away into the forest.
Brambleclaw climbed onto the halfrock and surveyed the hollow. “Who’s hurt?” he demanded.
Lionblaze scanned his Clanmates. They were checking their pelts and shaking their heads, but Jayfeather was already out of his den and hurrying from warrior to warrior, sniffing for wounds.
“Is Briarlight okay?” Brambleclaw called.
“She’s fine.” Jayfeather moved on to Dustpelt.
Brambleclaw nodded. “Berrynose, Birchfall, and Foxleap, start repairing the barrier. Graystripe, go and find Firestar’s patrol and tell him what’s happened.” He nodded to Ferncloud at the nursery entrance. “Are the kits all right?”
“It didn’t get near them,” Ferncloud reported.
Lionblaze stepped forward. “I’ve seen its den.”
Dustpelt arched his back, snarling. “Let’s go and teach it a lesson.”
Brambleclaw waved his tail. “I think we already have.”
Lionblaze felt a warm cheek pressing against his. “Are you sure you’re okay?” It was Cinderheart.
“I’m fine.” He saw her ruffled pelt. Clumps of fur stuck out around her neck. “What about you?”
“Shaken, but okay.”
Ivypaw bounced toward them. “We showed it, didn’t we?”
Dovepaw trailed after. “I should have heard it sooner.” The words caught in her throat.
“You were hunting,” Lionblaze told her. “You’re good, but you can’t be expected to hear everything.” But he wasn’t sure that was the truth. Perhaps Dovepaw shouldn’t hunt. Perhaps she should concentrate on using her powers to look out for danger.
Ivypaw faced her sister, scowling. “Why should you have heard it?” she demanded. “We were the farthest from the hollow! Why do you have to act like you’re special all the time?”
Cinderheart flinched.
Lionblaze lashed his tail, angry with himself. Why had he praised Dovepaw in front of Ivypaw? “Don’t quarrel,” he pleaded.
The thorns rattled, snapped stems dropping, as Firestar raced into camp. Thornclaw and Sandstorm followed with Graystripe. The ThunderClan leader held a starling in his jaws. He dropped it and looked around the hollow. “Is everyone okay? Are the dens damaged?”
“The thorn barrier got the worst of it,” Brambleclaw reported.
Sandstorm was already at the nursery entrance comforting Ferncloud. “The kits are safe. You did well.”
Jayfeather was wrapping one of Foxleap’s paws in a comfrey leaf.
“Are you hurt?” Firestar asked the young warrior.
Jayfeather answered for him. “Lost a claw, I’m afraid. But it’ll heal.”
Rosepetal gasped and raced across the clearing. “Does it hurt?” she gasped.
Foxleap lifted his chin. “A bit.”
Jayfeather gently let go of Foxleap’s paw. “We were lucky there weren’t more injuries.” He carefully folded a comfrey leaf. “My stores are running low, and if this snow keeps up, I’m not going to be able to restock them.”
Ferncloud whisked her tail anxiously. “What if the kits get coughs?”
“I’ve taken all the new growth I can from my herb patch by the Twoleg nest,” Jayfeather went on. “I can’t risk taking any more, or the plants won’t keep growing. We need to search the forest for fresh supplies.”
Lionblaze tensed. “Will there be any left in this snow?”
“Not if we delay,” Jayfeather warned. “Any leaves that are left will be black and useless before long. We need to gather them now.”
Brightheart bounded forward. “I’ll go,” she offered. “I know what to look for.”
“I’ll help.” Leafpool stepped forward. “I know where to find them.”
“Thank you.” Firestar nodded to Thornclaw and Dustpelt. “Escort them,” he ordered. “Just in case the fox is still around.” He turned to Brambleclaw. “Organize more hunting patrols.” He kicked the starling he’d dropped. “This won’t be enough to feed the Clan.” He padded across the clearing and climbed the rock tumble while Brambleclaw assembled the warriors.
Lionblaze hurried after the ThunderClan leader, ignoring the curious stares of Cinderheart and Dovepaw as he scrambled up to Highledge. “Let me fight the fox,” he begged.
Firestar turned, eyes wide.
“I’ll drive it from our territory once and for all.” Lionblaze returned Firestar’s green gaze unblinkingly. “You know I won’t get hurt.”
Firestar sat down.
“It would mean we can hunt safely,” Lionblaze pressed.
Firestar frowned. “Are you sure you won’t get hurt?” His eyes darkened. “Just because you haven’t been wounded yet doesn’t prove you can’t be. Why risk your life over a fox when we know there are more dangerous enemies waiting in the shadows?”
“It’s going to be a hard leaf-bare,” Lionblaze reasoned. “Why make it harder by sharing what little prey we have with a fox?”