Chapter 14

Viperpaw woke up early in the morning, her body still aching from the previous day's battle. She stretched her muscles and padded outside of the apprentice's den. The fresh air cleared her head as she walked around the camp, looking for something to do. She saw Snow sleeping near the warrior's den and decided to wake her up.

"Hey Snow, wake up. We have to go on patrol," Viperpaw said.

Snow groaned and got up, stretching her legs.

"Where are we going?" Snow asked.

"We're going to check the border with ShadowClan. I heard some worrisome rumors about some cats from Leaf's band of rouges lurking around there," Viperpaw said.

Snow nodded, grabbing her claws out of her sheath. As they walked towards the border, Viperpaw couldn't help but feel nervous. The last time she had fought rouges, she had Hawkstrike by her side. But now, she was the one in charge of the patrol.

They walked for a while, not encountering any signs of rouges. Viperpaw was about to suggest turning back when she heard a rustling in the bushes. She signaled for Snow to follow her as they approached the source of the noise.

They saw Leaf, surrounded by four other rouges. Leaf's eyes glinted with malice as she saw the two ThunderClan cats.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Two little kittens wandering around ShadowClan territory," Leaf snarled.

Viperpaw tensed up, ready to fight. Snow looked at her, trusting her to lead the way.

"Leave now or face the consequences," Viperpaw said.

"Ha! You think you can defeat us with just the two of you? We've killed more warriors than you can count!" Leaf said, baring her sharp teeth.

Viperpaw could see that Leaf was an experienced fighter. Her muscles were tense, ready to strike.

Viperpaw looked at Snow and nodded. They attacked at the same time, their claws outstretched. The rouges fought back, but Viperpaw and Snow were determined to win.

Blade emerged from the bushes and joined the battle. Viperpaw was surprised to see him fighting alongside her. His moves were precise, and he fought with a grace that she had never seen before.

After a few minutes of fighting, Leaf and her rouges retreated, leaving Viperpaw, Snow, and Blade victorious.

Viperpaw couldn't help but feel grateful to Blade for helping them. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.

"You fought well," Viperpaw said to Blade.

Blade nodded, his eyes shifting away from hers.

As they walked back to camp, Viperpaw couldn't help but feel proud of herself. She had led a successful patrol, and with the help of her friends, had defeated Leaf's rouges. She knew that she still had a lot to learn, but she was determined to become the best warrior she could be.