The Loner's Trial (A Shrouded Path book 2) {COMPLETE}

Chapter 16

The final days of newleaf were warm, and after several days of rain, a thick humidity settled in the air. Minnow and the barn cats continued their battle training, practicing from early morning to well past sunhigh nearly every day. It was tiring, but the moons Minnow had spent doing nothing had weakened her, and she was grateful to be using her muscles again. She knew she was growing stronger all the time; she could feel it. They had all become lean and strong with time, and Minnow was so proud of them all.

Minnow squared her shoulders as she faced Jay. A few fox-lengths away, Apollo and Smokey were locked in a tussle as Rose and Storm cheered their mother on. A cool breeze blew across the Twoleg garden and ruffled Minnow's fur, and it was a welcome reprieve from the heat of the impending greenleaf. Jay's eyes were narrowed in concentration as he sized up his opponent, and Minnow saw muscles ripple beneath his dark pelt as he prepared to leap. He launched off the ground and flew at Minnow. Instead of dodging, she jumped forward to meet him, grasping his shoulders with her front paws as his hind paws met her exposed belly. The two fell, rolling on the grass, and Minnow kicked at his flanks and softly closed her teeth on his shoulder. Jay held on to her body and flipped over, throwing her down hard, before jumping for her again. Minnow kicked out with her feet and managed to strike his chest, and she heard his breath leave him. Taking advantage of the fact that Jay was winded, Minnow rose quickly and jumped over him, landing on top of him with all her weight, squashing him to the ground. He grabbed her hind leg in his teeth and pulled her off, taking her by surprise. She thought she'd had him, but before she knew it she was on her back with Jay's teeth around her throat.

Great StarClan, he's good, Minnow thought to herself as Jay let her up. "Great job!" She congratulated him, unable to keep the surprise out of her voice. Jay had proven to be a cat that never gave up, so just when Minnow thought she had won, he was just getting started.

"A fox wouldn't stand a chance against me," he boasted playfully, puffing out his chest. Minnow purred with amusement, shaking out her ruffled pelt. Jay's eyes wandered to where his mate was still fighting with Apollo, and the two of them strode over to watch. They stood next to Oliver, who seemed to be enjoying the warm sun while watching the battling cats. Rose and Storm seemed to have grown bored of watching, and were now play-fighting themselves.

As Jay and Minnow settled, Apollo shoved Smokey forward and she stumbled, falling backwards. Recovering quickly, she leaned back into her fall as Apollo leaped over her, prepared for his attack. As his paws met her shoulders, hers came in contact with his chest, shoving him in return. His eyes widened, clearly not expecting it, and he too tumbled backwards. Smokey moved with him, pinning him to the ground with her paws on his neck. His tail flicked once, announcing his surrender.

"Nice going!" Jay called to Smokey as the two cats wandered over to meet them.

"I didn't think a cat could move that fast," Oliver purred.

"You should see how fast a cat can move in water!" Apollo exclaimed, eyes shining with his normal mischievousness.

Minnow cocked her head, eyeing him. "Have you been swimming?" She asked. He hadn't liked it very much the time he tried with Minnow, but he had put forth a great deal of effort.

Apollo purred. "I can't let you be better than me at everything!"

Minnow let out a mrrow of laughter at his attitude. So far, Apollo had only beaten her in battle practice the one time.

"Now this I have to see!" Jay exclaimed. Shrugging nonchalantly, Apollo turned and began walking towards the pond, and the rest of the cats followed. Minnow was still a little surprised that he had been swimming, but not in a bad way. She had come to terms with how much her life in RiverClan was influencing her life now, and her talk with Smokey had helped greatly. She supposed if she was going to stay true to herself, that meant not giving up her RiverClan nature, even if Clan life had slipped through her claws.