Hawkshadow purred in amusement at Smokestep's words and nodded in agreement, "That's probably why Coyotestar picked him, they're like two rabbits in a warren with their matching serious stares." The larger tom kept his eyes ahead, in the direction of the BreezeClan border, and tightened his jaw as the salty scents crept over the air. The shadows were easy to see and these days BreezeClan meant trouble.

The constant stream of chatter coming from Oakpaw distracted Stormstrike from the teasing that was going on behind him. His whiskers twitched slightly, "Very good Oakpaw, you've got a sharp nose." He would have to check in and make sure that she could focus in on the prey scents as well as other cats more so than the smells of the area, though that could come in handy too. He kept an eye on the opposite side of the border, though his attention was more focused on his apprentice. He came to a stop the moment he heard the angry voice come across the scent line.

He bit back a sigh as he turned his attention to the gray and black tom, "Greetings Cloudstorm," he fought to keep his irritation at bay as the warrior insulted him. He managed well enough, but his brother had always had more of a temper than him. He rested his tail over Smokestep's shoulders in a calming gesture, "We aren't on your territory," it was always difficult to tell exactly where the border was given the constantly shifting sands, but he was always careful not to cross it and today was no exception. "In fact I believe you're closer to the border line than we are."

Another growl came from the BreezeClan patrol as a reddish tom stepped up to stand next to Cloudstorm. "I think we know where our own border is rabbit-breath," Redtalon hissed back at them his own long claws digging into the sand.

Stormstrike's eyes shifted slightly to the rest of the patrol. He recognized the long black pelt and disinterested expression of Nightwater and the pale pelt of Cranesong. Though the shrinking form of a large golden tom he was unfamiliar with. Probably a new apprentice then. He turned his attention back to the two toms, "We're on our side of the border unless BreezeClan has decided to encroach on our territory," his tail flicked irritably, "If that's the case I can tell you Coyotestar will not stand for it."

He didn't want this to devolve into a border skirmish, and Dawnstar herself had said they weren't looking to start a war. It seemed her warriors thought differently as Redtalon let our another angry growl and lunged at him with claws extended. He felt the wind leave his lungs as he was bowled onto the ground and screeched in pain as Redtalon's hind claws batted at his stomach. The weight was quickly removed though as Hawkshadow's massive form grabbed the other tom and threw him to the side. He had enough time to roll onto his feet and see Nightwater slam into his brother with a yowl. So much for that.

Ignoring the blood he could already feel dripping onto the mix of sand and grass below him, Stormstrike turned his attention to the screeches and snarling that was going on either side of him. He could see Oakpaw going toe-to-toe with the apprentice that he had seen. He wanted to go and help her, but there was too big of a chance of someone else getting ganged up on. Nightwater was already grappling with his brother and Redtalon was scrabbling onto his feet, green eyes narrowed.

His eyes flickered back to Oakpaw, he hadn't been training her all that long, but he hoped she would be able to handle the other apprentice. He hoped that they would be able to handle a patrol of five with just the four of them too. No time to think about that now though as he shifted quickly on his feet to meet Redtalon. He could tell the reddish tom was impulsive, as shown by his actions just a moment prior.

All it took was a moment for the other tom to rush him. He leapt into the air and twisted hard to land on Redtalon's shoulders, bringing the warrior to the ground with a yowl. He sunk his teeth into the red fur and didn't stop until he tasted blood, digging his claws into the broad shoulders to keep his grip. He raked his hind paws down Redtalon's spine, hating the feeling of fur tearing free, but he wasn't about to let him win.

The air was once again knocked out of his lungs as his quarry rolled, crushing Stormstrike beneath him. He felt teeth sink into his own shoulder and yowled in pain. He kicked up with his hind legs, throwing Redtalon off and sending the tom scurrying back across the border. First into the fight and first to flee it seemed.

Meanwhile, Hawkshadow charged Cloudstorm with a snarl pasted across his face, lunging forward to start battering the other tom's head with rapid blows. They were about equal in size and he used that height to aim blows across Cloudstorm's ears and eyes to try and keep him off balance. "Coyotestar will be hearing of this you foxhearts," he growled as he slammed his paw across an ear, leaving a bleeding tear.

An angry shriek left Nightwater as blood spattered across the ground which she quickly met with as Smokestep pulled her down. She twisted her body in his grip, leaving her side open to his hind claws, but allowing her to sink her teeth into one of his legs.

From what Stormstrike could tell, they were winning, but where was the fifth member of BreezeClan's patrol?