Warriors: A Dangerous Path - Book Five (Completed)

Chapter One

Shadowpaw padded quietly through the undergrowth, his paws sinking into the soft earth as he followed his mentor, Sandstorm. She led him to a small clearing, where they would have their battle training session.

"Okay, Shadowpaw," Sandstorm said, turning to face him. "We're going to start with some basic moves. I want you to practice your defense and counterattacks."

Shadowpaw nodded eagerly, feeling his heart race with excitement. He knew that battle training was an important part of becoming a warrior, and he was eager to prove himself.

Sandstorm crouched down, her eyes fixed on Shadowpaw. "I'm going to come at you with a frontal attack. I want you to block it and then counterattack."

Shadowpaw nodded again, focusing his attention on Sandstorm. As she lunged at him, he crouched down, bracing himself for impact. At the last moment, he twisted to the side, letting Sandstorm's paws swipe harmlessly past him.

"Good job," Sandstorm meowed, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Now, counterattack."

Shadowpaw wasted no time. He lunged forward and landed a blow on Sandstorm's shoulder. She grunted in surprise, but quickly recovered and launched a counterattack of her own.

For the next few minutes, Shadowpaw and Sandstorm continued their training session, exchanging blows and practicing their defense and counterattacks. Shadowpaw could feel himself growing more confident with each passing moment, his instincts taking over as he focused on his opponent.

As the session drew to a close, Sandstorm smiled at Shadowpaw. "You're doing great," she purred. "You have a lot of potential, and I'm proud to be your mentor."

Shadowpaw felt a surge of pride at her words. He knew that he still had much to learn, but he was determined to work hard and become the best warrior he could be. He followed Sandstorm back to the edge of the large Oak Tree and she turned to face him.

"See that scent over there?" She meowed, pointing to a faint trail of scent on the ground. "That's a rabbit. Follow it and see if you can find where it's hiding."

Shadowpaw nodded and set off, his nose twitching as he followed the scent trail. He was hunting in a very different way. He felt as if he was being watched by the whole of StarClan. He soon found himself crouching behind a bush, watching as a plump rabbit nibbled on a patch of grass.

"Now what?" Shadowpaw whispered, turning to Sandstorm. Sandstorm padded up to him and she crouched down beside him. 

"Patience," Sandstorm replied. "Watch the rabbit, and when it's distracted, pounce!"

Shadowpaw waited, his muscles coiled like springs, until the rabbit's head was down. Then he launched himself forward, his claws outstretched.

The rabbit saw him at the last moment and darted away, but Shadowpaw was quick. He chased after it, dodging through the trees and leaping over fallen logs. Finally, with a burst of speed, he caught up to the rabbit and pounced, sinking his teeth into its neck.

"Great job, Shadowpaw!" Sandstorm purred, padding up to him. "That was an excellent catch. Not many experienced warriors can even catch a rabbit. I suppose that I have a challenger." 

Shadowpaw's eyes shone with pride. "If you're my opponent, I don't think I stand a chance."

Sandstorm's green eyes gleamed with compassion for her apprentice. "Nonsense. I think you'd be a great opponent one day. Don't underestimate yourself." She then paused and sniffed the air. "Those squirrels would make a great catch," Sandstorm added, her eyes glinting with excitement.

Shadowpaw's ears perked up at the challenge. He had never caught a squirrel before, and he was eager to try. "Let's do it," he mewed, his tail twitching with anticipation.

Sandstorm nodded. "That's the spirit!"

Shadowpaw looked up at the tree, unsure of what to do. Sandstorm could see the doubt in his eyes and quickly reassured him. "Don't worry, Shadowpaw. Climbing a tree is easy. Just watch me and do what I do." She said, reassuringly.

Sandstorm gracefully bounded up the trunk of the oak, her claws gripping the bark with ease. She moved quickly, her body heaving as she shifted her weight to reach the next branch. Shadowpaw watched in awe, impressed by her skill.

When Sandstorm had reached a suitable branch, she called out to Shadowpaw. "Come on, it's your turn now."

Shadowpaw hesitated for a moment but then took a deep breath and approached the tree. He tried to imitate Sandstorm's movements, but his paws kept slipping on the bark, and he couldn't find a good grip.

"Don't worry, keep trying," Sandstorm encouraged him. "You'll get it. Just one jump after the other."

Shadowpaw took a few more attempts, but with Sandstorm's guidance, he soon found his footing. He was now clinging to the bark, his claws sinking into the rough surface.

"Great job, Shadowpaw," Sandstorm praised him. "Now, the squirrel is just a few branches away. If you don't feel safe jumping over there, I will." 

Shadowpaw took one look over the next few branches and shook his head. "Heights is not my strong point right now." He mewed, not wanting to sound too pleadingly.

Sandstorm dipped her head then raced after the squirrel. It scattered in all directions, chattering in alarm. But Sandstorm was quick. She chased the squirrel, leaping from branch to branch with effortless grace.

Finally, she caught up to the squirrel and pounced, sinking her teeth into its neck. She then leaped down from the tree branch and landed with a slight thud. Shadowpaw looked down from his perch and felt a twinge of fear in his stomach. The ground seemed far away, and he wasn't sure how to get down without hurting himself.

"Don't worry, I'm right here to guide you," Sandstorm reassured him.

She then showed Shadowpaw how to lower himself down from the tree, using his hind legs to grip the trunk and his front paws to reach down to the next branch.

"Move slowly and carefully, and don't jump," She instructed him. "Just take your time, and you'll be down in no time."

Shadowpaw took a deep breath and started to make his way down the tree. He followed Sandstorm's instructions, and soon he was back on the ground, his paws firmly planted on the forest floor.

"Great job, Shadowpaw!" Sandstorm exclaimed, nuzzling him affectionately. "You're really getting the hang of this."

"I don't think I'll be climbing any trees any time soon." He purred, amusingly. 

"I won't make you. It's not for every cat, even ThunderClan cats." She looked up at silverpelt and noticed the darkness beginning to settle in. "Come on. We best be getting back to camp."

Shadowpaw and Sandstorm grabbed their prey and they set back to camp. When they arrived they set their prey in the fresh-kill pile. Fireheart padded up to them. "You caught all that?" He meowed, clearly in shock.

Shadowpaw suddenly felt dumb-founded. "I...uh... caught the rabbit." He stuttered.

"Whoa. Sandstorm really is a great mentor if someone other than her can catch them." He praised.

Shadowpaw then stood tall and proud. With a compliment like that from the deputy was truly an honor. And by that, he knew that becoming a warrior will be a real proud moment for him and his mentor.