So, the raccoon threat is real, Thunderstorm thought when he saw the three masked creatures standing several fox lengths from them. Two were smaller than the one standing in the lead. Perhaps this is a mother and two of her kits, mostly grown. He pushed Falconpaw behind both him and Brightsplash. If there was going to be a fight, he didn't want to risk an inexperienced apprentice, a frightened one at that. "Run back to camp and bring some help!" he commanded, his eyes never leaving the raccoons.

(I think you missed wangtang's post on the top of this page. Thunderstorm and Brightsplash are facing angry raccoons right now.)

"Fine," Thunderstorm said as he watched the raccoons. "We can deal with them ourselves." He would honor Brightsplash's opinion even though he didn't hold the same attitude toward rival clans as she apparently held. But now wasn't the time to think about clan relations. Now was the time for action. He rushed forward to intercept the other smaller raccoon who was trying to cut him off from Brightsplash. Foiling it's plan, Thunderstorm stood with his back to Brightsplash's back. "I've got your back," he said in a low growl. It was a basic defensive position designed to protect your clanmate when facing foes who outnumbered you. Two cats back to back facing outwards could fight off twice as many enemies.

As the mother raccoon charged at Thunderstorm, he crouched down and then sprang up to meet her charge. He managed to knock her back with a well aimed blow to her head. Blood began to well up in the scratches he left on the side of her face. This encouraged him. "Come on, want some more?" he snarled. "I got more where that came from!"

(wangtang, Falconpaw can find Reedshadow if you want.)

(That's too bad.   )

"I hope so," Thunderstorm replied. He wasn't one who liked to admit he needed help, but even he knew the odds were against them. "LOOK OUT!" he yowled as he rammed into the side of the mother raccoon, spoiling her attack on Brightsplash. But for his efforts he received a long scratch on his own neck and shoulder. The wound stung fiercely but he wasn't going to let it stop him.

Reedshadow had met up with the frightened apprentice while out hunting and after receiving his news he ran hard to meet up with his brother and clanmate.

(Thanks!)

The raccoon screeched in pain from the wounds Brightsplash had caused. She rolled onto the ground in an effort to dislodge her tormentor but in doing so exposed her belly. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Thunderstorm jumped in and attacked her vulnerable spot then jumped back quickly.

Reedshadow heard the sounds of combat just ahead of him so he poured on the speed to aid his clanmates.

Reedshadow burst upon the scene just as he saw Brightsplash's attack. He saw that Thunderstorm was engaged with the larger of the three raccoons so he took on the other kit who was trying to sneak up on Brightsplash. With a loud yowl, he tackled the half grown raccoon, his momentum causing them to roll on the ground several times.

Thunderstorm was relieved to see that help had arrived in the form of his brother but he had no time to waste with words of appreciation. The mother raccoon was hurt and angry, not to mention protective of her kits. She was warily approaching closer to Thunderstorm, gauging herself for another attack. It was then Thunderstorm lunged forward and swiped his claws across her already wounded muzzle. She screeched in pain and then backed off calling to her kits. They pricked their ears and stopped their fighting. Then at the same time they ran over to their mother. Thunderstorm backed further away wondering if this was the beginning of the end of the battle.

"I guess we should," Thunderstorm said reluctantly. He knew that wounds caused by other animals could become infected easier but he still didn't like admitting he had been wounded.

"You're very welcome," Reedshadow responded. "I'm so glad I wasn't too far away. Do you need help going back to the camp?" He noticed Brightsplash seemed very tired. "Were you hurt bad?"