The Mysterious Loner...

*Wake walked around the territory, sniffing the air. Where is Markspirit's camp!? I need to find him! I need to tell him! Then, she heard a low growl, and a large black and white tom emerged from the bushes. His ears were flat to his head.*

A loner. Returning for more kits now?!

*Wake stepped back, looking stricken. What is he talking about?! Before she could respond, Adder leaped behind her and pushed her forward.*

Go!

*Wake yowled, and padded fiercely in the direction he was heading her in.*

::---::

*Wake was pushed into the camp clearing, and may cats came out bristling. Adder snarled.*

Tell me why I shouldn't kill you, or at least attack you, and drive you out right now!? You're the one who killed that kit. 

*Adder snarled, and Wake's eyes widened.*

What kit!? I would never kill a kit!

*Adder narrowed his eyes.*

We found loner scent, and you're a loner.

*Wake shook her head.*

No. You're mistaken. This is my first time at your camp. I-i'm expecting kits myself.

*Wake looked down, then scanned the crowd. She then saw Markspirit, he was rigid, though trying to look calm. Adder snarled.*

Ya right! That's an excuse!

*Wake started to shake her head to protest, but Adder was faster. He flew out Wake, and launched at her neck. He grabbed her neck, and threw her at the ground. Wake gasped, and tried to breathe. Adder stood over wake snarling. Nestflame took a step forward, wanting to help the hurt queen. Adder spun around and snarled threateningly at Nestflame. Nestflame flattened his ears, and didn't take another step forward. Markspirit's eyes were wide, and they flashed to Adder in fury. Markspirit snarled, and launched himself at Adder. Finally, Dreamstar came out of her den, her eyes wide. She saw Markspirit leap onto Adder, and grab his neck easily, before throwing him a little bit. Markspirit's ears were flat against his head, and he was snarling ferociously. Dreamstar yowled.*

Stop! What is going on here!?

*She looked at Wake, at Adder then at Markspirit, who was slowly backing up, before running out of camp. Nestflame finally ran forward, carefully putting some cobwebs on Wake's throat first. He made sure she was stable, before doing the same to Adder.*

::---::

*Markspirit panted, and collapsed on the forest floor. Wake! Please don't die... He curled in a ball, and weeped. Then, he heard soft pawsteps coming up from behind him. He lifted his head, to see Strongpaw coming out of the ferns. Strongpaw and Markspirit were foster siblings, and they became good friends.*

What do you want, Strongpaw?

*Strongpaw sighed.*

Dreamstar  sent me to get you, she wants you to come back to camp. You did nothing wrong Markspirit. That loner, she really is a queen. But why did you attack Adder?

*Markspirit shot a glare at Strongpaw.*

Because I knew that she-cat hadn't killed that kit. I could feel it.

*Markspirit stood up. "

Let's go.

*Then, they walked back to camp.*

::---::

*He padded into Dreamstar's den.*

What?

*Dreamstar sighed.*

Why did you attack Adder?

*Markspirit stayed silent for a moment, then spoke.*

Because I could feel she had done nothing wrong. She's expecting kits. Why would a queen kill a kit?

*Dreamstar sighed.*

I don't believe she killed Newkit either. But you attacked with such anger... Markspirit, who's kits are they?

*Markspirit's head was turned away, and he didn't respond.*

Markspirit, if you don't respond, I can only suspect the worst.

*His head snapped around to look at Dreamstar. His eyes were filled with pain.*

They're my kits!

*Dreamstar sighed.*

How long have you know this loner? Three moons? Four?

*Markspirit snarled.*

"This loner" has a name! Wake. 

*Dreamstar looked up.*

Answer my question, Markspirit.

*Markspirit winced, and whispered in a soft voice.*

Since I was 3 moons old...

*Dreamstar's eyes widened.*

Go. Get some sleep.

*Markspirit stood up, and padded out of the den.*

::---::

*She padded into the medicine cat den, to find Nestflame applying herbs to Wake and Adder.*

How are they?

*Dreamstar hoped Wake would be okay. Not only because she was expecting kits, but for Markspirit's sake. Adder was in the same state as Wake, and Dreamstar also hoped he would be okay, for Grayshadow. Nestflame looked up.*

In critical condition... but getting better. 

*Dreamstar nodded, and before Dreamstar could ask her next question, Nestflame beat her to it.*

Will they live? Yes. They both should. But I don't know about her kits. 

*Dreamstar nodded.*

Thank-you... They both have to live.

*Nestflame looked up, but Dreamstar was already out of the den.*

:~~Dreamstar, Markspirit: