Paw step after paw step sounded loudly in her ears as scents of many different cats moved around her. Orchid slowly opened her eyes, keeping them halfway open as she looked around without moving her hair. Voices rang in her ears all at once as she blinked, her vision clearing. She could see many long haired cats talking to each other, some of them had fresh cuts on them. Her eyes drifted to a spot in the ground that was covered in blood and russet clumps of fur was every where. What happened? She thought as she shut her eyes again and focused on hearing what the cats were saying.

“Why did you patch their wounds FaintEar? We have no idea who those two rogues are and they might not even make it with the wounds they have!” some cat hissed. “I couldn’t just leave them here to die" a smooth voice said, and she guessed that was FaintEar. There was silence and some cat sighed. “well we better take them back to camp, we cant have them attracting any roses...you know they still linger in the woods" A cat said. Roses? Orchid thought but then she remembered what the cat had said. There’s no way I’m going to be held prisoner at some strange Cat camp!

She forced her self onto her paws quietly without alerting any cat and looked around for sun. Her heart wrenched as she saw the she-cat severely wounded and her eyes shut and her face twisted in pain as she slept. Cobwebs and herbs were bound tightly to the spot where her missing tail was and half of her round head was bandaged heavily with horsetail, as if keeping something in place. The thought of what was under the bandages made Orchid dizzy. She looked around noticed the cats were beginning to leave and she knew they’d turn and see her up at any moment.

She forced her self to her paws, ignoring her aching muscles that screamed in protest and darted over to sun. She grabbed the unconscious she cat by the scruff and dragged her away from the clearing, ignoring the she cats groans of pain. As soon as the cats were out of sight she set down sun and crouched, looking around and keeping her ears perked. She heard the confused news of the other cats and the scattering of paws as searched the area. She was glad that they had hidden in a pine bush, the strong smelling leaves would mask their scent, but her hope immediately melted away as she saw white paws step infront the Bush and she looked up at the gray eyes that looked at her sat the same time. She flattened her ears and narrowed her eyes at the cat in a daring way but the cat just flicked a ear and turned towards the other cats “found them” The cat said nonchalantly

Orchid growled deeply in her throat as the other cats approached them. Without thinking she jumped out of the bush and hissed at the cats and fluffed up her fur, making herself look much larger than she actually was. The cats murmured something to each other one she- cat stepped forward, her ears growing white at the tips and the rest of her body a light orange with dark orange spots except her belly, paws and tail, which were all white. Orchid guessed it was FaintEar as the she cat stared at her calmly, her tail swishing slowly on the cold ground. “Glad to see that you’re awake, so soon too” She mewed, her voice showing nothing but kindness .

Orchid suddenly grew wary of this cat who showed no hostility, it was quite odd for her. She flattened her ears as another cat stepped forward and shoved faintear away. “Stay back FaintEar, we don’t know what she’d do if you got to close” The Brown Tom murmured, obviously not wanting Orchid to hear but her sharp ears caught it anyways. She dug her claws into the cold ground as more cats began to approach, murmuring quiet doubts and insults. Suddenly a large cat with a white pelt that shined brightly in the sunlight and black paws and tail. The cats superior amber gaze burned into Orchid’s defiant ones. Cats looked at each other nervously as the air grew tense and finally the cat huffed and turned its gaze away, looking at FaintEar, who’s eyes held great respect for this cat and nodded. FaintEar gave a sight of relief and turned towards Orchid, who looked slightly confused. “Until your injuries heal, you and your friend are welcome to stay in Riverclan.” FaintEar mewed suddenly.

Orchid opened her mouth to argue than thought about it. She knew it would be difficult to find herbs in this season and she couldn’t afford to put Sun's life at risk by refusing and trying to find herbs on her own. After a hit it thinking she sighed and nodded .““I accept your offer” she mewed in a steady tone.

End Of Chapter