[h2][center][b][color=917655]Hawkstar[/color][/b][/center][/h2]

He followed as the Apprentice led the way, his long strides making it easy for him to weave through the overgrown forage. What was not easy for him, however, was keeping his pace. After running for just a few mere seconds, the sharp pain in his leg was making every step become agonisingly painful. Yet, he powered on. Mallownose was a cat whom he thought of highly, both as a well and trusted member of Thunderclan, and as a friend. He wasn’t about to risk the Medicine Cat’s life to some rogues regardless of what damage he was doing to his leg. 

Stormstike and Warmpaw was in front of him, darting over branches and plants effortlessly. Hawkstar trailed behind, but only slightly, as they came towards a clearing. The scent of cats flared his nostrils but there was only one that was familar. [i]Mallownose[/i]. Soon, the scene came into view and Mallownose’s figure became clear. Behind him, there were two other cats. Though they were not Thunderclan, it looked as if Mallownose was protecting them. He tried to recall the names which Warmpaw had mentioned to him earlier, but it was said so quickly that he didn’t have time to remember them. 

Hawkstar was quick to survey his surroundings and each cat within the clearing. He swiftly put himself in front of Warmpaw, protecting the Apprentice instinctively as Stormstrike took front to challenge the two rogue. He had heard the mumbles of Mallownose’s voice just before they had entered, but what had been said was oblivious to him. Hawkstar assumed he must have been calming the situation down since a fight hadn’t broken out. [i]Yet[/i]. 

As he stood back, standing ready to defend in case the cats did decide to attack, Hawkstar took a moment to get a real look at who these ‘rogues’ were. Instantly, he recognised the she-cat, but not strongly. He knew [i]of[/i] her. A face he had seen in a Gathering, a name mentioned to him, only briefly. [i]Pythonteeth...[/i] He recalled Redstar notifying him of her exile quite a few moons ago and he hadn’t seen her since.

Well, her appearance was rather short-lived, for now that was, as the she-cat and her counter-part quickly disappeared back into the forest. There must have been a reason as to why the rogues were here, surely. Hawkstar looked across towards Stormstrike, and then back towards Mallownose.  

[color=917655]“Mallownose, are you alright?”[/color] Limping slightly, he made his way over to him, flashing a look towards the two new cats. [color=917655]“What did the rogues want?”[/color]

[h2][center][b][color=EB8100]Gingerflame[/color][/b][/center][/h2]

She watched as Frostbite slowly made his way towards her, moving away from the rock which had been protecting him from her wrath. His tail hung long between his legs, dragging through the muddied dirt limply. It felt awful to see a cat like that, and Gingerflame couldn’t help the bottomless guilt which glued itself deep within her stomach. But, atleast, he had stopped talking. 

[color=EB8100]“No, no, no.”[/color] Gingerflame mumbled quietly, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. [color=EB8100]“It’s me who should be sorry. I- I shouldn’t... You know. Look, thank you. For... That.”[/color] She stuttered, flicking her tail towards the direction in which they had came, back towards the bramble bush. She paused before continuing. [color=EB8100]“Look, Frostbite, I need you to keep this quiet. Just don’t t-”.[/color]

Suddenly, a sharp pain spasmed deep within her belly, making her bend her head abruptly, wincing. A silent yowl escaped her throat as she breathed out heavily. [i]What was wrong? The kits?[/i] She stood, staggering towards the Thunderclan cat. [color=EB8100]“Frostbite... I, the kits...”[/color]