Warriors: Riverclan's Fall Book 3

Chapter Five

"No, Snowpaw! That's not how you do the back kick! You have to catch the opponent from behind. Judge their distance from you, then lash out with your back legs and take your weight on your front paws. It's simple!" Badgerclaw yowled, frustration clear in his voice.

"It doesn't seem that simple." Snowpaw muttered as she crouched in front of Rustpaw.

As he leapt, Snowpaw kicked out forcefully with her back legs and face planted into the dirt in front of her.

"Forget that move! Lets try the front paw strike to make sure you haven't forgotten that." Badgerclaw sneered.

"Watch me, then do it yourself. Claws sheathed when training, but unsheathed when actually fighting." Badgerclaw faced Rustpaw and sliced downward on his face. The force brought Rustpaw flying.

"Try that." Badgerclaw growled.

Snowpaw faced Rustpaw and forcefully brought her front paw down on his head, claws sheathed. His legs buckled and he fell to the ground.

"Good." Badgerclaw grumbled. "Let's try out the belly rake, it's most likely a life saving move."

Badgerclaw faced Rustpaw. "Attack me." 

Rustpaw jumped at Badgerclaw, paws extended but claws sheathed. Badgerclaw jumped at the last second and crashed into Rustpaw, sending him flying backwards. As they landed, Badgerclaw flipped over and sent his paw across Rustpaw's belly, which would be the fight stopper.

"Okay. Snowpaw, try it out. Sweetpaw, attack her." Badgerclaw ordered.

Snowpaw turned to face Sweetpaw, who had a glint of determination in her eyes. Come at me, they seemed to say, watching every move of a muscle Snowpaw did even though she was the one that was supposed to lunge.

Snowpaw stared back at her, her heart pounding in her chest. Snowpaw's eyes wavered, as if she was in choosing to back out or fight. After what seemed like days, Sweetpaw finally lunged.

Her legs sailed out and it seemed as if she flew at her. Ready, Snowpaw kicked her back legs out and her front paws crashed into Sweetpaw, who was mid-air. The clearing seemed to go silent as Sweetpaw flipped back and landed in the dirt, Snowpaw on her.

"Stop!" Sweetpaw hissed in her ear as Snowpaw flipped her onto her back.

"I'm sorry, but I must prove myself." Snowpaw whispered back as she brought her paw down on Sweetpaw's calico belly.

"Snowpaw actually did it right!" Badgerclaw looked baffled as he gazed around at the other cats in the clearing. Rustpaw, Stormpelt, his gaze flitted to Sweetpaw who was thrashing under Snowpaw's paws.

"Snowpaw, you can get off of her now." Badgerclaw's yellow gaze hardened as he looked at Snowpaw again.

Snowpaw stepped off and gave an apologetic look to Sweetpaw. Sweetpaw got up and dusted herself off.

"Look, I don't know who you think you are. But never ever make me look like a fool again, or there will be consequences. I know exactly why nobody likes you, freak." Sweetpaw shoved her muzzle into Snowpaw's face, then stormed away with her tail high in the air.

"Snowpaw, that's enough training for today since you seem worn out." Badgerclaw sneered. "Go hunt if you aren't gonna train."

Snowpaw nodded, her head down.

"Come back when you're useful to the clan." Badgerclaw snarled.

Silently, Snowpaw slipped into the forest. The scent of fresh wood and damp earth was sharp in her nose. Why does Badgerclaw hate me so much?

Crouching low, Snowpaw tried to pick up any scent of prey. But the only scent she could detect was stale rabbit. The forest seemed strangely empty. Might as well try the river, after all we are RiverClan.

But when Snowpaw trotted to the river, it was lower than usual. There were barely any fish, not even minnows. The sun hung high in the sky and sent waves of heat rippling down.

It's almost greenleaf! Is there going to be a drought?

Snowpaw decided not to hunt. The hunting patrols probably did that. Snowpaw scoured up and down the river, trying to find a way to preserve the water if there is a drought.

There's no way...

A thought hit Snowpaw. It was Tigertooth. Tigertooth wanted revenge on RiverClan. That may be what he is doing right now.

He's in contact with the Dark Forest, but how? How is causing the river to run out?

Sorry. This is a short chapter, but I'm awfully busy right now. Im working on two other stories and time is rare for me. I'm remodeling my house along with my uncles, so that mixed with school, homework, and the two other stories...not a lot of time. But I'll update as soon as I can.