𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗘𝗧

> Seven <

Acaciapaw slipped forward, then launched himself forward. The rabbit broke into a sprint but he raced father it swiftly, eyes narrowed against the wind, and pinned it.

His temporary mentor, Sedgebriar, padded up to him, pride in his eyes. "You're a fine hunter."

Acaciapaw purred thanks and picked up his rabbit, then loped over to his other catches; he'd hidden them under a bush. Dropping the rabbit, he hauled out a mouse and two more rabbits.

Together, the two cats heaved their load back to camp and placed it on the fresh-kill pile.

"Hi, Acaciapaw!" Callapaw skipped over to his denmate. "Will you be doing battle training?"

"Yes, after I've eaten." Acaciapaw pulled a smaller rabbit from the pile and settled down, gulping it down in a few hungry bites. "Okay, I'm ready to go."

Sedgebriar looked pleased. "Right. I'll go grab Poppysnow and Carpwhisker; you go for Fempaw and Coniferpaw."

Acaciapaw's spirits were dampened at the thought of fighting Coniferpaw, who was at least three times his size, but he nodded. "Alright."

Callapaw padded alongside him as they walked to the apprentice den. Fempaw was inside, crouched beside Coniferpaw, sharing a rabbit. "Hey, you two, we're doing battle training together."

Fempaw sprang up eagerly, her eyes easy to read: I bet I'll beat you!

Coniferpaw rose more slowly, his gaze  guarded. "Okay."

Poppysnow, Sedgebriar and Carpwhisker led them out of camp and stopped in the middle of the territory. "Okay, Acaciapaw, attack Fempaw and let's see how good of a fighter you are."

WhisperClan! Cedarfrost! Acaciapaw remembered the move he'd showed almost a moon ago. Now he could show off.

Fempaw circled him, trying to find a way to leap onto his back, but Acaciapaw was constantly facing her. Eventually she sprang, and he ran towards her, rolling over, kicking out with his hind legs and catching her belly. Fempaw let out a cry of surprise as she was gently but firmly tossed aside; Acaciapaw sprang to his paws.

"Well done!" Sedgebriar looked like the proudest mentor in all four Clans. He cast a teasing look at Poppysnow, as if saying, my apprentice is better than yours.

Poppysnow glared at him, then faced Acaciapaw. "Let's see how you handle Coniferpaw."

Acaciapaw turned to meet Coniferpaw's blazing gaze. I will win this battle.

With a furious yowl, Coniferpaw launched himself at the smaller apprentice. Acaciapaw felt a pelt against his, and breathed in the scent of Embercloud. His former mentor's meow sounded in his ears: dodge to the left.

Acaciapaw ducked aside, letting Coniferpaw fly past him. The golden tom whipped round then shot over, crashing into Acaciapaw.

Kick out!

Acaciapaw's legs shot out, jabbing Coniferpaw's belly. He yelped in pain and lashed out, but Acaciapaw barely ducked in time. At Embercloud's screech of belly! He pressed forward and collided with Coniferpaw's stomach. Acaciapaw's paws gripped his side and he pummeled him with his hind legs until Coniferpaw was wailing, "Okay, okay!"

Well done. Embercloud's proud meow was intertwined with Piperstorm's and Pearwhisker's, then the warm presence faded away.

Sedgebriar was purring. "I'm not surprised BrineClan won against those rogues, if all your warriors were trained to fight like that. Coniferpaw is our strongest apprentice; no, he was."

While Acaciapaw burned with pride, Coniferpaw seemed to be growing more furious by the moment. "He's the size of a mouse!" He snarled. "I could beat him any day."

"Any time." Acaciapaw was surprised at his own bravery; his claws unseathed.

Sedgebriar stepped in between them before a proper fight could break out. "Stop that." His cold gaze swept over Coniferpaw, and the angry apprentice's flaming eyes seemed to dim a little. "Coniferpaw, never disrespect a denmate like that. I will notify Apricotstar of your behaviour today. Head back."

Coniferpaw's eyes were dark with dismay and fury, but he didn't dare snap back. Instead, he whirled round, and began to stalk towards camp.

Fempaw was looking stunned and slightly afraid; Acaciapaw padded over to her and licked her ear. "He'll get over it."

Poppysnow placed her tail on Fempaw's shoulders with a comforting mrrow, then lead her apprentice away. Carpwhisker was looking humiliated by his apprentice's antics, keeping his head low, but Acaciapaw caught a glimpse of his flushed eyes.

Back in camp, Sedgebriar kept his word, and headed instantly to the boulder - the Rock of Whispers - and ducked below the ivy. Coniferpaw shared several heated growls with Carpwhisker, lashed his tail, then stalked towards the medicine den. He emerged with a bundle of mouse bile on a stick, then stalked to the elder's den. Fempaw padded to the fresh-kill pile and began to eat a mouse.

Acaciapaw slid into the apprentice den and lay down. Embercloud. StarClan. He wanted to speak with the ginger warrior. To know why he'd helped his apprentice fight Coniferpaw.

Instead his eyes opened and he found himself in a shady area of BrineClan territory. Lush dark green bushes circled the small shaded clearing, and large spruce trees blocked out most of the starlight. Wait, it's night?!

A large black tom waited in the clearing, his ice-blue eyes glittering almost manically. The crazy stare sent shivers along Acaciapaw's spine.

"Azrael?" A rather squeaky voice made Acaciapaw's head turn. A small silver tabby apprentice was padding shyly out of the bushes, it's ears flat and tail tucked under. Acaciapaw racked his brain for this apprentice's name, but knew that there wasn't a silver apprentice in all four Clans. Then who is it..?

The black tom raised his head, his black mane rippling from the movement, and swished his plumed tail. "That is me."

Instead of relaxing, the apprentice's fur puffed up in fear. "What did you want to talk to me about?" From the voice, Acaciapaw could tell it was a tom. Silverstreak! Silverstreak as an apprentice!

Azrael leaned forwards and whispered something in Silverstreak's ear. His eyes flew open, and there was something in the huge, pale blue eyes, that made doubt flutter in Acaciapaw's chest. Is it really Silverstreak?

"I will." The silver apprentice mewed, still petrified. "See you. Uhm. Hopefully not." He whipped round and raced away, trembling.

"Wait!" The yowl tore from Acaciapaw's throat, and he pelted after the apprentice. "Who are you?"

Embercloud skidded towards him. "This isn't your dream."

Acaciapaw's gaze flitted towards him. "But I need to know who it is!" He willed Embercloud to understand; this could explain who was murdering BrineClan's warriors. "It could be the cat who killed Piperstorm!"

Embercloud swept his tail along the forest floor patiently. "I understand your concern, Acaciapaw, but you have seen what you need to see." His voice was filled with wisdom, and it made Acaciapaw lower his head and mutter "Fine."

"Sleep, now." Embercloud's tone softened, and he placed his tail on Acaciapaw's back. The apprentice crumbled, limply closing his eyes and succumbing into sleep.