DANGER!

[Yoko]

Eclipsepaw burst into the clearing, her paws tingling with excitement and her throat burning with desire to yowl the news out. But that would only serve to panic the Clan. She did not wait for her sisters to catch up, instead she swerved directly for Specklestar's den and skidded to a halt just outside of it.

"Specklestar, come quickly! There's a dog on our territory!" Eclipsepaw mewed urgently, her voice rasped like a leaf on sand, filled with restrained fury and excitement.

The sharp muzzle of her leader came to light first, then came the glittering emerald eyes. "A dog?"

"And that's not all!" Eclipsepaw mewed, her clouded blue eyes stretched wide. "Fireshadow was severely injured, Toadpelt attacked Hawktalon, and my mentors seem to think that Hawktalon is responsible for Fireshadow's injuires. The entire patrol is coming straight to camp."

Eclipsepaw nearly bit her tongue in frustration as she realized that she had said 'my mentors'. But Specklestar did not appear to notice. She was heading off towards Feathercloud's den.

"Feathercloud! Fireshadow is returning to camp with injuries, be prepared."

She then padded swiftly towards the camp entrance. Eclipsepaw noticed Runningfrost was nowhere in sight. Again. Where was the strict deputy going these days?

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

((Blah, I need something to do with her.))

Whiteheart, having been lounging around camp with nothing to do, suddenly became alert at Eclipsepaw's urgent news as she came back to camp. Instantly worried and anxious, the white spotted warrior got to her paws. Yellow eyes flitting around camp to see if any others had heard, she watched as Specklestar went to get Feathercloud. She then gazed toward the camp entrance, terrified at the thought of a dog on their territory. Wasn't a fox enough? Now there were more dangers on their territory and she couldn't remember the last time there had been so many different threats at once.

[Ki]

"I heard Specklestar." Feathercloud mewed from inside her den. She was already pulling out the required herbs. Cobwebs, to stop the bleeding. Wild Garlic would prevent an infection. Goldenrod to help them heal, and poppy seeds for pain. Attacked by a dog! The medicine cat swished her fluffy tail, ears pressing against her skull in distress. It always made her worry when cats in her Clan were hurt. She loved them all very dearly. The medicine cat pulled out a bit more of each herb. Dogs usually did a good bit of damage, but until she saw the extent Fireshadow's injuries she would not know for certain how much she might need. Though, most likely, Fireshadow would be spending a few days in her den.

At this rate, I'll need an apprentice just to help me keep up with all of these cats. Feathercloud thought. With a Clan so big many injuries were bound to happen.

[hedgie]

Heronpaw, Reedpaw and Flintpaw had all been sitting together, waiting for their mentors to come and get them. All three toms were fidgety due to the lack of something to do. Then Eclipsepaw brought it.

Flintpaw stood up, nearly tribbing over his friends' tails and paws. The sickly gray and white tom was having one of his better days. What surprised him was that he didn't know why he'd stood up in the first place. He looked around camp. Where was Runningfrost? Right when he was needed, and he wasn't there. He carefully picked his way after Eclipsepaw, the brothers in tow.

"You don't need any other help, do you? We'd be glad to be of assitance, really." He mewed, and Reedpaw sighed with exhasperation. Heronpaw swatted him on the head.

"Hey!" The cream tabby growled, but refrained from smacking his brother on the side of the head. Hawktalon? He'd known that there was something wierd about that tom. Had he really attacked another clanmate? "Do you think your mentor's right? About Hawktalon, that is?"


Heronpaw looked even more nervous than the other tom apprentices. He hated to worry, but dogs meant trouble, and Honeypaw was out there. Of course the first thing out of his mouth was about Honeypaw.

"Is she okay?" Eclipsepaw would know who he was talking about, but his thoughts were interupted by a swat from Reedpaw.

"You mousebrain! Like she's going to tell you!"

[Yoko]

Eclipsepaw was startled by the sudden crowd of apprentices. Why weren't there any other patrols going on? She pushed the thought aside to answer the seige of questions.

"No not really. I think Specklestar will announce what needs to be done," she mewed to Flintpaw, her voice dry from running and excitement. She noticed absentmindly that he'd managed to lose his cough today. I hope she sends a fighting patrol! Eclipsepaw's tail whipped the ground in anticipation.

"I don't know about Hawktalon. He reminds me of Twistedclaw, only my mentor would never associate with loners," she mewed quietly, not wanting Specklestar to hear her bad mouth a clanmate. "To be honest, I'm not even sure he's strong enough to rip Fireshadow apart like that! You have to see her, she's a mess!"

Eclipsepaw looked coldly at Heronpaw, and pointedly did not reply. Honeypaw would just tell him anyway.

Specklestar paid no attention to the Clan's murmurs and milling about. The faster the report was made, the faster she could plan their defense. She wondered about Hawktalon. Lizardeye was not the type to spread meaningless rumors. If he thinks Hawktalon did this, then she must here the reasons for his thinking. Even if he's innocent, she thought darkly, I'll have to watch him.

[Kitty]

Dapplepaw sat just a couple tail lengths away from Reedpaw, Heronpaw, and Flintpaw. She hadn't really been talking, but she was sitting and observing. She was waiting for her mentor along with the other tom apprentices.

Fireshadow hurt? A dog loose from its Twoleg? That didn't sound good. Neither did the fact that Hawktalon was present when the so-called dog was free. She's never really trusted the tom; every time she was around him, she picked up some bad vibes coming off him.

"I hope she's okay," the dark apprentice spoke up quietly. She didn't really feel like talking much today - especially now. The incident had ruined her okay mood.

[nightstorm]

Thistlefur emerged from the warriors' den, her eyes concerned. "A dog?" She asked sharply. "Where? And how close?" If it was close, then it could endanger the entire camp. However, if it was farther away, like near WindClan territory, then perhaps patrols could help lead it away from the camp. Her thick gray fur was bristling as she glanced around the clearing. She spotted a group of apprentices nearby, as well as Feathercloud, hurrying around and getting her medicine supplies ready. Specklestar was alert too, but where was Runningfrost?

((I haven't roleplayed this guy in a long time...perhaps I should do so now... (: ))

Eagleflight lifted his head, startled. Cats were rushing about outside, and there were anxious voices raised. He turned his gaze to Cedarfur, who slept beside him. Wait. Where was she? She wasn't in the den, and her nest was cold. Had she gotten up to go hunting with out telling him?

"Dog on our territory...Fireshadow severely injured.....Toadpelt attacked Hawktalon..."

The words made Eagleflight sit up. A dog? On their territory? But...that could mean death for many of them, if it found the camp...Eagleflight shuddered, picturing cats torn apart and bleeding. A horrible realization gripped him. What if the dog found Cedarfur? He didn't know where she was...perhaps one of the cats outside did?

He stood, not bothering to smooth his pelt, and exited the den, looking for the nearest cat to talk to. His eyes fell upon Whiteheart, and Eagleflight launched himself towards her. "Have you seen Cedarfur?" he asked, his eyes filled with concern.

((*EDIT* Just realized that Cedarfur is elsewhere....))

[froststream]

Lionfang exited the nursery. He was looking forward to some hunting to calm himself, but instead of peace and quiet he heard screams and yowls. He only caught a few words: "Dog" "Territory" and "Injured". With a yowl of defiance, he started running towards Eclipsepaw. That was Lionfang: Reckless, willing to get into battle quickly, without knowing all the facts. "Where's teh dog," he growled. "I'll go help." He unsheathed his long claws and fluffed out his fur, willing to do anything for teh Clan. Even if it meant getting torn apart by a rabid dog.

[Ki]

Bluethorn padded back into camp, two fat mice clamped tightly in his jaws. The camp seemed to be in turmoil. He heard an apprentice filling in a few others about the situation. A dog was in the territory, Fireshadow was injured, and Toadpelt had attacked Hawktalon. Bluethorn's fur bristled as he dropped his fresh-kill in the pile. There was more buried away from camp, but it would have to wait. Bluethorn padded over to Lionfang's side. "Easy, Lionfang. Specklestar will probably send a patrol out to chase it out." Bluethorn's paws itched with excitement. He longed to run out there himself. But he'd restrain that feeling.

Bluethorn turned his attention to Eclipsepaw. "Why do they think that Hawktalon is responsible?"

[Kitty]

At the sound of the apprentice's announcement, Stormclaw was abruptly filled with fury. "Well, why aren't we dealing with this problem?" he yowled. "There's a dog loose on our territory, and we're just sitting here in camp when its already injured one f our warriors! Why are we still here?!" His claws instinctively unsheathed at the thought of fighting a dog. "I'll lead the patrol myself if I can!" he growled, rising to his paws. The gray tom's eyes narrowed angrily.

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

Eyes growing wider out of fear, Whiteheart nestled herself closer to the bramble wall of camp. With cats all of a sudden yowling that they should chase out the dog, she was proud of her Clan being so brave, but scared all the same. If any other cats got injured, the Clan would be at risk. Maybe it was an exaggeration but she saw it that way. "How big of a dog is it? How do you know it hasn't left our territory already?" she called out. If she was to be sent on this supposed patrol to chase the dog out, she knew she would be a fearsome opponent driven by fear. She was hoping she wouldn't be faced with that kind of confrontation.

[Mousy]

[OoC:| Poor Hawktalon. I don't think anyone likes him.]

Fireshadow was just conscious when she and Toadpelt came in to camp, followed by Hawktalon, Lizardeye, Snaketail and Twistedclaw. Fireshadow half opened one eye and looked at Hawktalon, as though to thank him. The stench off dog was rolling off her and Hawktalon in nauseating waves. She was sure that the whole forest could smell it. She opened her mouth to speak, but her words came out in a hoarse whisper.

"I wasn't... injured by Hawk... Talon... It was the... dog..." she was just able to whisper this before falling unconscious, and just missing the ground when Hawktlaon crouched down and caught her.

********

Toadpelt nodded in thanks to Hawktalon, and felt pity stab at his heart like a bramble. He lowered his head and lifted Fireshadow up again. Then he glanced down at Hawktalon, who was looking at the ground pathetically, looking sorry for himself. Catching Fireshadow on his back had taken its toll on the aging warrior. The wounds had opened up again, and blood poured out of them, stickying his grey fur.

Toadpelt looked properly at the grey tom warrior. He’d never actually got to look properly at the warrior, because he'd either been ironing him or running away from him. But when he got a proper look at him, he saw that Hawktalon wasn't totally bad. Whether it was because of the scars, or the fact that all his kin were dead, he just knew.

[Yoko]

((OOC: Ahhh, poor Hawktalon XD. He'll get a fair trial. Lizardeye's suspicion was just based on the hostility between Toadpelt, Hawktalon and Fireshadow.))

Twistedclaw had spent the entire journey to camp lashing his tail and glancing hungrily at the bushes for the dog. He could care less if Hawktalon was guilty or not, he just wanted a good fight.

He looked over to his apprentice as they entered. She was already chatting away with the other apprentices. Where was her desire to rip the dog to pieces?

He grinned at Lionfang's reaction. That cat had the right idea!

Specklestar listened carefully to Fireshadow's words, her eyes slightly narrowed. She had no doubt that the she-cat wouldn't lie about such a thing, but with all the tension between she and Hawktalon she guessed that there might be more to it. But she had a Clan to defend.

"I'll discuss this with you two later," she dipped her head to Hawktalon. "Go see Feathercloud about those wounds."

She turned to the cold-eyed tabby just behind him. "Did you see the dog?"

Lizardeye shook his head slowly, "No, but it's scent was everywhere around Thunderpath."

That was all Specklestar needed to hear. She turned and bounded up the roots above her den, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here."

She hardly waited for all her warriors and apprentices to make it out of their den. This was an emergency.

"There has been a report of a two-leg dog on our territory. It has already attacked and injured Fireshadow and Hawktalon. It is dangerous and must be stopped immediately. So I want Deerfur, Scorchclaw, Icepelt, Lightfeather, Batheart, Twistedclaw, and whichever apprentices I don't call to stay and guard camp. Take turns and always have three warriors at the entrance. There will be two patrols searching for the dog. I will lead the first and Blackfeather, Stormclaw, Shrewfang, Thistlefur, Eagleflight, and Heronpaw will come with me. The other team will be headed by Bluethorn. Oakstorm, Darkfeather, Lionfang, Whiteheart, Snaketail, and Honeypaw will go with you."

"Why can't I come?" Twistedclaw hissed, clawing the earth so deeply the seeping moist dirt made Specklestar imagine blood.

"Because we need our strongest warriors here!" she snapped, her green eyes fiery. She must protect her Clan!

The bloodthirsty warrior met her gaze for a moment, but in the end he shrugged it off, satisfied by her answer and besides, Lizardeye was staying too.

[nightstorm]

Eaglefight looked up quickly. He was to help fight the dog? A thrill coursed through his veins, and his claws dug into the ground. At last! A chance to help fight! His excitement was shadowed by the knowledge that he couldn't find Cedarfur, but perhaps he would find her while searching for the dog.

His green eyes flicked around the clearing, but the tom padded forward anyways. He approached the group he had been assigned to, and sat down, adrenaline coursing through his pelt. Excitement and wariness clouded his gaze, and Eagleflight turned to Stormclaw and Shrewfang. "Have either of you seen Cedarfur?" he asked them, his tail flicking.

Thistlefur stood from where she was talking to Duskkit and Tawnykit. Her nostrils flared, and the she-cat stood frozen where she was. Her? Fight the dog? Specklestar must be crazy! She was too small...fierce, perhaps, but surely not strong enough? But a steely resolve ran through her as she thought of the cats in the nursery, and the elders. Her Clan was in danger, and she would do anything to protect it, even at the cost of her own life.
Her eyes turned back to the kits, and she flicked them with the end of her tail. "I'll be back," she promised, "Just stay here. Be cautious." With that said, she turned, and bounded over to the patrol, brushing by Twistedclaw as she joined the group. Her gaze flickered over the cats, and she saw Eagleflight speaking to Shrewfang and Stormclaw. Sitting down, Thistlefur curled her tail over her paws, waiting and listening.

[Kitty]

"Sure thing, Specklestar," Icepelt meowed. He would be the senior warrior in camp, then. He would probably end up being one of the cats chosen who to guard the entrance. Actually, he would volunteer. Anything to keep his Clan safe. "Be careful," he said with a nod. He glanced around. Most of the cats were going on the patrols.

Satisfied finally that they were going after the flea-brain, Stormclaw gave a nod of respect. He looked towards the tom that just approached. "Cedarfur? No, not recently. She hasn't gone missing, too, has she?" Surely there couldn't be another dog attack victim. If so, this dog deserved the clawing that it was going to get from Stormclaw and his Clanmates!

Scorchclaw gave a nod of approval and stood to stretch. Finally, a chance to stretch his claws! He hadn't been in a good fight for a few moons now. And since he didn't have an apprentice, he might also be a little out pratice. But what did it matter? After all, they were going to teach this dog never to set paw on ShadowClan territory again!

She was to stay here? Dapplepaw was glad, actually. She wasn't feeling up to fighting anything right now - especially not something as big as a dog! But she could help guard the camp, so she wasn't being totally useless. She nodded to Heronpaw. "Good luck. And be careful," she purred to her older denmate. Maybe if he proved himself by chasing off the dog, he'd be a warrior soon! And since he was in Speckledstar's group, she'd be able to watch! She felt a pang of envy at the thought, but she couldn't stay angry. More warriors were always a good thing, and Heronpaw washer friend.