you had it all

Thunder felt a surge of sympathy Was his father still grieving for the young sister hed lost What if youre wrong Im not Clear Sky gazed at him for a moment He nodded toward a rabbit trail opening onto the clearing then flicked his muzzle toward another Which one Thunder brushed past him and ducked into the nearest tunnel This way He led Clear Sky along the familiar track until it opened onto the hillside Snow battered his face as he emerged and he braced himself against the wind It was bitter enough to freeze prey Clear Sky slid out beside him and stared through narrowed eyes Wheres the forest Thunder strained to see but the blizzard was thicker than fog If we follow the slope it should lead us down to the forests edge Ill go first Clear Sky pushed past him I know the scents of the forest better than you Ill know when were close For a cat who doesnt want more cats to boss around youre awfully good at it Thunder bristled but held his tongue and followed Clear Sky keeping so close that his fathers tailtip brushed his nose The wind roared in his ears Cold pierced his pelt and he fought not to shiver Maybe we should find a tunnel and take shelter till it passes Were nearly there Clear Sky called over his shoulder I smell fresh earth The forest must be close The gray tom quickened his pace Thunder hurried after him alarm pricking in his paws as his fathers tail disappeared Clear Sky They mustnt be separated Not in this weather He blinked against the snow relieved as he made out Clear Skys pelt once more An angry roar exploded ahead

Fear flashed through Thunder What is it Pelt bushing he surged forward Clear Sky A large dark shape lunged toward Clear Sky from the blinding whiteness Clear Sky shrieked Thunder raced forward the tang of blood hitting his nose followed by the fierce stench of badger His heart seemed to explode in his chest Clear Sky He heard the thump of hard muscle on the frozen earth and the vicious snarl of the badger Black fur showed through the storm; wide hindquarters bucked and trembled The massive creature was pinning Clear Sky to the ground Panic scorching through him Thunder heard jaws snap Let him go Thunder hurled himself at the badgers flank digging his claws in deep The badger shook him off and snapped again at Clear Sky Claws caught Thunders flank as he fell against Clear Skys desperately flailing hind legs He jumped clear his mind spinning The badger was huge

Thunder leaped again Claws outstretched he landed on the badgers spine Biting hard into its pelt he churned with his hind legs but the badger only snarled and snapped again at Clear Sky Hes killing him Thunder was blind with terror and snow as his hind paw slid down the badgers leg He felt his claws graze soft wet flesh The badger flinched and yelped Its wounded Hope flashed through him He slithered to the ground and sniffed out the badgers blood Thrusting his muzzle close to its injured back leg he clawed at the wound; then he clamped his jaws around it With a roar of agonized fury the badger reared Run Clear Sky Thunders gaze flicked toward his father but Clear Sky was lying motionless on the ground Thunder froze as the badgers head swung toward him Swallowing he backed away He could taste the badgers blood in his mouth He gagged It was sour with infection A menacing growl rumbled in the badgers throat and it leaped Thunder dived to one side rolling as he landed He looked back to make sure the badger still had its gaze fixed on him then raced across the slope The earth trembled as the badger pounded after him Triumph thrilled beneath Thunders pelt The badger would never catch up to him Especially with an injured leg I just have to lead it far enough away from Clear Sky He snatched a glance over his shoulder and glimpsed the badgers hulking shape following him Bounding across the snow he led the badger away The wind whipped his ears as he pushed into the blizzard; then he turned and fled uphill leaving the badger lumbering far behind Thank you snow It would cover his tracks Paws skidding he made a wide circle and doubled back toward Clear Sky