Rootspring hurled himself toward them, sinking his claws into Ashfur’s pelt.  Straining,  he  dragged  him  backward,  shocked  by  the  dark  warrior’s strength.
With a snarl of rage, Ashfur turned on him. “Warriors are like rats,” he hissed. “No matter how many I kill, there’s always another waiting to steal from me.”
Rootspring’s pelt spiked as he saw murder in Ashfur’s gaze. The dark warrior lifted a paw and swung at his face, a blow so fierce that it sent Rootspring reeling away.
Blind with pain, Rootspring hit the rock, the hard stone knocking the wind out of him as he landed. He fought for breath and blinked away blood welling in his eye. He pushed himself to his paws and gasped for air, terror flooding his chest as Ashfur padded toward Squirrelflight.

Darkness Within, Chapter 25