Splashflight's Mistake (book one)

Chapter 10

"Ha! Take that, Dawnpaw!" Morningpaw was hissing. Her eyes were wild and almost tinted with enjoyment as they were battling together. It was their first battle training checkpoint, where apprentices had to battle each other. Morningpaw had begged to use claws, but Snowtip refused firmly. Morningpaw hated her mentor, and she made it a point to disobey her whenever possible. Splashpaw didn't put it past her to use her claws anyway, even if Snowtip had commanded her not to. Morningpaw was not very obedient, Snowtip was quickly learning, but at least she tried.

"Shes so soft!" Morningpaw would say. "Why would anyone want her to be a warrior of the clan?! Doesn't DewClan need strong, fierce warriors that aren't afraid of hurting anyone?" Splashpaw had to admit, her logic had a point, but regardless, Snowtip was a fierce and loyal she cat, and she was equally as ruthless on the battle field as she was kind to her clanmates. 

Splashpaw watched as Dawnpaw dodged the next attack from her sister, ducking under her expertly placed swipe to the head. He saw her hiss and bat back, but Morningpaw hopped away easily, and without a moment to spare. Without warning, Morningpaw leaped up, and soared over her sister, pushing back on the dirt to wriggle underneath her sister and pummel her belly mercilessly. Dawnpaw winced a tiny bit, and Splashpaw noticed a flash of glinting claws.

"Morningpaw! Stop at once!" Snowtip scolded, having seen it too. "How many tines have I told you? No claws!" Snowtip was smoldering as she pried Morningpaw out from underneath Dawnpaw. 

Dawnpaw got up and stepped away from her sister, hurt in her gaze as she limped over to Splashpaw. Morningpaw snorted. "I used my claws because it created an adrenaline rush and motivated my opponent to fight harder," she growled. "Dawnpaw needed it anyway. She can't fight. She's too much of a wimp!" Sticking out her tongue at her sister, she yelped indignantly as Snowtip cuffed her behind the ears.

"Come with me, now!" Snowtip growled, and stalked back to camp, tail lashing. "You wait and see when Aquastar finds out!" Splashpaw heard Morningpaw groan and mutter something before they were out of sight.

Treevice nodded. "Right. Dawnpaw, let's get you back too. Nightgaze can inspect those cuts on your belly," he said and nosed her up. "I'll help you Splashpaw. Dawnpaw can still walk, you can't." He smiled kindly, nosing Splashpaw to his paws. Splashpaw gave a smile of thanks and limped along with them, leaning on his strong shoulder.

*****

"You are constantly disobeying my orders!" Snowtip was yelling to Morningpaw in front of a gathering crowd when Splashpaw limped through the entrance. "You are deliberately ignoring me every training session, and I've even caught you you sneaking away from training to sleep! I am fed up with you!" She scolded. Aquastar curled a firm tail around her daughter and gave her a questioning glare.

"Is this true, Morningpaw?" Aquastar asked calmly as Snowtip sat down again. It was almost as if you could see the steam rushing from the black speckled she cat's ears. Snowtip glared at her apprentice, as if daring her to deny.

The yelling was drawing a crowd from their dens. Splashpaw heard Brightkit say, "Mom, why did Aquastar wake us up?"

Morningpaw shuffled her paws and mumbled something too quiet and angry for Splashpaw to hear. Aquastar leaned down further, her eyebrows raised in expectation and a little bit of annoyance. "Say it again?" She said, her voice airy while her disposition was anything but. 

"Yeah, its true..." Morningpaw mumbled a bit louder, still staring at her paws and pouting. She flattened her ears in anger and embarrassment. Splashpaw let out a snicker.

Finally! She'll get whats coming! He thought triumphantly in his head as Aquastar got up to retreat to her den, beckoning Snowtip and Redstrike to follow. Splashpaw knew she would be discussing Morningpaw's punishment, and the thought of her finally paying for everything she'd done made Splashpaw giddy. Maybe after this she'll leave me alone, he thought.

Splashpaw gave Morningpaw a smug look and she glared at him, causing Splashpaw to quickly gather himself and limp towards the medicine den. When she started to get up, her face frozen in a snarl, Splashpaw's ears pinned to his skull. He sucked in a worried breath, limping faster. Almost there, you'll be safe from her with Nightgaze- He glanced behind himself, eyes widening. But he wasn't quick enough and after the crowd retreated back to their dens, she pinned him.