Oakheart's Promise - A Warriors AU

Chapter 13

Willowpaw pulled herself from the river, dropping a fish onto the shore. "I got one!" She killed the small minnow quickly.

"Nice job!" Crookedpaw congratulated the she-cat. He pushed the fish off to the side. He continued, "I haven't caught anything yet."

"I'm sure you will," Willowpaw encouraged. "I think Oakpaw and Graypaw may be winning though."

Together, the mentors of all the apprentices had agreed to train them together. They were split into two teams and instructed to catch as much prey as possible. It was not meant to be a competition, but Crookedpaw insisted on competing.

"What is this?" A voice asked mockingly from behind Crookedpaw. He turned around to see Beetlepaw inspecting Willowpaw's catch. "A measly minnow?"

Crookedpaw defended, "She's caught more than you have! Telling us what we're doing wrong doesn't fill bellies."

"Well, the least I can say is that Oakpaw isn't doing much better," Beetlepaw sighed. "I think Willowpaw and Graypaw deserve to win more than either of you do."

Crookedpaw dug his claws into the ground. "Oakpaw and I are just as hard-working as you are!" He yelled after Beetlepaw as the black tom slinked into the reeds.

"Don't let him get to you," Willowpaw advised. "He acts like a fish-brained kit."

Rolling his eyes, Crookedpaw clarified, "I just don't see why he's so upset with us. It's not like we fed him crow-food instead of fresh-kill."

"I got another!" Willowpaw yelped as she swung one of her paws, sending her stumbling back with another minnow hooked onto her claws.

"Of course you did," Crookedpaw laughed. "I'm glad you don't boast about it like Beetlepaw does."

I need to catch something. The young tabby crouched down, focusing on the river and remaining silent. Some fish passed by, but they were all too far away to catch. After a while, he heard commotion in the ferns behind him. Tilting his ear towards the sound, he continued to listen.

"Really? Only two minnows?" Crookedpaw recognized Oakpaw's voice.

Then, Crookedpaw heard a thud, as if his brother had fallen. Graypaw said excitedly, "We got three! We won!"

"Who caught more?" Willowpaw asked. Crookedpaw was interested. Standing to his paws, he joined the three apprentices as they continued their discussion.

Oakpaw smiled, "I did! But Graypaw got the biggest one." The gray she-cat grinned, averting her gaze.

"What now?" Crookedpaw asked.

"We could do some battle training," Graypaw suggested. She glanced at Crookedpaw, and then at Oakpaw. "You two go first."

Crookedpaw backed away, remembering to keep his claws sheathed. This is just training. He faced Oakpaw, thrashing his tail and preparing to attack. After less than a moment, he shot away from the ground, dried reeds scattering under his paws. Before he reached Oakpaw, the reddish apprentice ducked away, disappearing between the stalks of grass that lined the river.

Before long, Oakpaw emerged from behind Crookedpaw, leaping and tackling him. The reddish tom landed on Crookedpaw's back, prompting the young tabby to struggle and shove him away. "You fight like Bluepaw!" He teased, remembering watching her ThunderClan techniques at the battle of Sunningrocks.

Oakpaw paused, stopping and stammering, "I guess so." Another pause. Then, he crouched down, exclaiming, "A good leader needs to know the battle moves of the other Clans!" Crookedpaw didn't have time to question Oakpaw's reaction to his joke. He was barely able to scramble away from his attacking brother.

Quickly, Crookedpaw spun, dashing towards Oakpaw and slamming into his side. The reddish-brown tom was shoved off balance, and he collapsed onto the short vegetation below.

"I surrender." Oakpaw yielded, standing and shaking the dirt off of his pelt. Panting, he crossed the clearing and sat beside Graypaw. He prodded her, saying, "It's your turn to fight Willowpaw now."

"Of course!" Graypaw accepted, nodding to Willowpaw and waiting as her sister stood near Crookedpaw. The two charged, battling while the brothers watched.

We'll all be warriors soon, Crookedpaw thought, watching as Willowpaw and Graypaw sparred. And one day, I may even be leader.