A slim ThunderClan tom hooked Frecklesky by the chin, darting nimbly away before her heavy paw could catch him. He bared his sharp teeth and lashed his thin brown tail.

She snarled and lunged at him, snapping her teeth around thin air as the warrior dodged her attack. She crouched low, a growl ripping at her throat as the tom stared at her. She had to be quick. Her endurance wasn't great.

The tom darted at her again, and with a slight struggle, she lifted her stocky figure onto her hindlegs and brought herself down onto him, crushing him beneath her weight. He shrieked as her claws fastened into his pelt, and he squirmed, her claws tearing out clumps of fur and flesh as he wriggled away, nipping lividly at her ankles as he went.

He spun back around to face her again and launched himself at her. He ducked low as she swung her claws, and he reared up and battered her with his two forepaws, lashing blow after blow across her chest in shoulders. Her thick fur protected her from the worst of blows, but the warm blood that seeped from her fresh injuries kindled a familiar rage.

With a hefty paw-swipe, she cuffed him on the side of the head.

The ThunderClan warrior went rolling across the ground, groaning with pain. He buried his head under his paws for a moment before he lunged back to his paws, flying at Frecklesky and slashing her across the cheek. Her lip curled and she snarled viciously, stumbling back and slamming painfully into a bristled bush.

A familiar voice squeaked in surprise, and paws scrabbled. She whipped her head around, her eyes flashing into the darkness. Scared golden eyes stared back at her. Her heart stopped.

Turning back to face the warrior, she fought with renewed vigor, thrusting him back and back until finally, she knocked him to the ground, pinning her claws against his throat.

She saw red. Only red.

The cat writhed desperately beneath her paws as she choked his last breath out.

Reason flashed into her brain and she scrambled away. He was still conscious, but terrified. His eyes darted to Frecklesky's face, round with dread.

Yowling in alarm, he raced away, defeated.

Frecklesky shook out her pelt, her spine prickling with a sliver of fear at her lack of control. She swallowed, pushing the discomfort deep down into her heart, before turning away from the battle to greet a familiar face.

"Thunderpath?" She darted beneath the bush, her eyes growing round at the sight of the dark kittypet. "What are you doing here?"

Thunderpath bared her teeth, "I have a name, you know. It's Rachel."

"Okay, okay, Thunderp—I mean, Rachel," Frecklesky stumbled, her mind rolling around at the speed of a million dragonflies. Rachel's name was unique and beautiful, just as she was. Frecklesky pushed the thought away, the sound of fighting ringing clear in her ears, and she repeated, "What are you doing here?"

Rachel bared her teeth. "I should be asking you the same thing. You're not a forest cat"—doubt flickered in her eyes—"are you?"

Frecklesky's mind whirled so fast that she nearly forgot to answer. "No," she pressed, though her hesitation brought a spark of concern into Rachel's eyes. "I'm not a forest cat. I'm a—marsh... cat?" She shook her head vigorously. "You haven't answered my question!"

"I'm always around here!" The kittypet hissed. "I'm a wanderer. I wander a lot. This forest is closest to my home, so... I'm here." Her eyes darted over Frecklesky's shoulders, to the fighting beyond. She winced. "What's happening, even?"

Frecklesky growled breathlessly, shuffling around uncomfortably to keep her spines from brushing the branches. Her back facing Rachel now, she peered out into the blood-washed clearing. "It's war," she muttered. "ThunderClan and ShadowClan are at war."

"War..." Rachel's voice caught. "Which side are you on?"

"I'm ShadowClan," Frecklesky said, studying the blood-washed clearing. "And it looks like we're winning."

Rachel followed her gaze, her mew soft with concern. "Are you going to help them?"

Frecklesky nodded. "I have to." She turned back to Rachel, her eyes softening at the sight of her ruffled black fur. She leaned forward, boldly, and touched her nose to the space between Rachel's ears. "Stay here and climb a tree when you get the chance to. You don't want to get caught up in this, okay?"

"O-Okay," Rachel stammered. Frecklesky turned to race away, but the kittypet called out quickly, "Will I see you after the battle?"

Frecklesky hesitated, her mind flashing to Fallowstep. "Not today," she confessed. "But maybe we could meet at the thunderpath." her thoughts whirled. "Tomorrow, at sunset."

Rachel nodded, the worry in her brow relaxing to a soft smile. "Okay. I'll see you there. And be careful."

Frecklesky smiled, her heart swelling with warmth. "Goodbye, Thunderpath."

Rachel's nose twitched, and she watched quietly as Frecklesky pushed through the bush and back into the clearing. The tortoiseshell didn't bother glancing back. Oddly enough, she trusted Rachel to listen to her. To stay safe.

The battle was already coming to close. ThunderClan was losing, but that didn't mean her Clan could do without help. Spotting Slugface struggling against a burly she-cat, Frecklesky launched forward and ripped her claws into the enemy's shoulder, tearing her away from the black tom.

The golden she-cat lurched forward and bit Frecklesky's nose. Frecklesky's firm hold broke as she shrieked, recoiling and pawing rapidly at her stinging face. Tears welled in her eyes, mixing into fury as she sprang, but the ThunderClan warrior had already escaped.

"Th-Thanks," Slugface gasped, twisting around to lap at his bloodied scruff.

Frecklesky's flanks heaved in fury, and she struggled to reply. "No problem." Her claws sank into the leaf-litter as the pain subsided, and she turned her head to face the ongoing battle.

Brightstar was locked tightly in a clawing frenzy with Larkstar, the two savagely ripping each other to shreds. His deputy, Branchfur, was fighting both Chiveclaw and Riftpelt, while Marshpaw and Hawkpaw screeched victoriously as they chased off a ThunderClan warrior. Firewatcher was panting, blood dripping from a heavy wound on his chest, while the rest of the ShadowClan patrol appeared to be winning their battles.

Brightstar broke free from Larkstar, panting as he stared at the enemy leader. Larkstar's eyes glowed for vengeance, and she stalked forward, rasping her tongue murderously across her muzzle. "This is for Beetleflight," she snarled.

Brightstar froze under the craze in her eyes, backing up a step. "We've lost," he growled. Lifting his voice to a yowl, he proclaimed, "ThunderClan, retreat!"

There was a stunned silence as the battle broke to pieces. The remaining ThunderClan cats struggled free from their attackers, while ShadowClan warriors slowly processed their victory.

Larkstar blinked once. Twice. Then she stepped aside, her head low as Brightstar limped past.

"This isn't over," the tom growled, his voice just loud enough for Frecklesky and her Clanmates to hear. "ThunderClan will not lose."

Larkstar bared her teeth. "You already have."

Lashing his tail, Brightstar took off into the forest, leaving a crimson trail blazing behind him.

Larkstar lifted her head and caterwauled to the air, the cries of ShadowClan joining hers. Frecklesky's pelt prickled, and she stopped her yowling, tilting her head to see a pair of golden eyes staring at her from the canopy.

She smiled softly. Soon, she would see Rachel again.