Midnight

Chapter 18

"Attack me," Frostfur ordered.

Cloudpaw and his mentor were in the training hollow, practicing battle moves. They'd gone over fox attacks earlier that morning, leaving the afternoon to train for attacking other cats. Cloudpaw dropped low, sweeping his tail behind him and fluffing his fur to look twice as large. Growling threateningly, he circled his mentor who was watching him closely, not moving other than to turn her head. Once he was behind her, he leaped. Just before he landed square on her back, Frostfur dropped, rolled over, and kicked hard at his belly, sending him skidding through the sand.

Cloudpaw grunted at the impact, laying on his side for a moment. Frostfur flipped back over and padded over to his side, looking satisfied.

"You did good in your stance and how you treated your enemy, but you gave me far too much time to prepare. Next time, attack immediately so I don't know when you're coming or what you're going to do," she instructed.

"Did you have to kick me that hard?" Cloudpaw grumbled, climbing to his paws and shaking the sand from his pelt.

Frostfur purred. "Do you think you'll grow tough by a hit meant for kits? Mentors are supposed to be tough so their apprentices are prepared for their warrior status. Now, I'll attack you and I'll leave a few openings as I do, if you can find two of them, we'll be done for the day and you can have tomorrow off. If you don't find any of them, we'll go until sundown and you'll hunt all day tomorrow and help Cinderpelt gather herbs," she meowed.

Cloudpaw growled, digging his claws into the ground and squaring his shoulders. "Deal," he hissed.

Frostfur nodded approvingly. Without another word, she leaped at Cloudpaw with a hiss, her forepaw stretched out to grip his head. Cloudpaw tried to duck but she managed to grab his shoulders instead, flipping him over so his belly was exposed. Frostfur pinned him by the shoulders, one hind leg resting on his belly. Cloudpaw grunted, glaring up at his mentor. Frostfur grinned down at him, waiting for him to find the opening. Cloudpaw looked around, trying to find it, before his eyes widened. He bit down on the closest forepaw to him, making Frostfur hiss in pain before he used the distraction to kick up with his hind legs, forcing her away from him like she did earlier.

"Well done, Cloudpaw," Frostfur meowed. "I will say, I wasn't expecting you to bite me, but it did make me loosen my grip. I'd say we're done for today now. Go back to camp and get something to eat, and I'll tell Skystar how well you're doing."

"Thank you, Frostfur," Cloudpaw meowed, dipping his head.

Turning away, Cloudpaw bounded away, eager to get back to camp. Battle training was much more tiring than hunting and his muscles screamed at him to lay down in the comfort of his nest. The run back to camp always seemed shorter after long training sessions, but Cloudpaw wasn't complaining. If anything, it was welcome because it meant he got to eat and rest sooner.

Reaching the camp, Cloudpaw was met with Skystar and Graystripe waiting beside the Highrock with Leafpaw. Cloudpaw slowed down until he had stopped completely, dread flooding his senses like he was sinking into deep water.

"Cloudpaw," Skystar meowed. "Come with us to my den, please."

Cloudpaw gulped, turning his attention toward Leafpaw. His sister wouldn't meet his gaze, and frustration quickly overtook his dread. Leafpaw must have said something to Skystar even when she promised Squirrelpaw that she wouldn't tell! He followed the three into Skystar's den, feeling like his fate was sealed the moment the lichen moved back into place. Skystar didn't look at him until she had settled in her nest, Graystripe pacing next to her, his claws scoring deep lines in the sand. Leafpaw sat down a few tail-lengths from Skystar, her tail curled tightly around her paws.