Ghosts of the Clans

Chapter 9

"Minnowtail, you are a skilled and courageous warrior who has known the hardship of a warrior. I trust that you'll pass all your experience to Mossypaw." The two cats touched noses, and Mossypaw vowed, "I promise I'll make you proud!"

"I know you will." They watched as Hollowpaw was apprenticed to Reedwhisker, the Clan deputy. Leopardstar had died half-moon ago, and Mistystar had taken over. She was a noble leader, and a wise one too.

"Mossypaw! Hollowpaw!" The Clan chanted their names to the stars that were just appearing overhead. When the ceremony had ended, Reedwhisker joined Minnowtail. "I think we should give the apprentices a quick tour of the territory before its too late," he suggested, signalling Hollowpaw to join them.

"Sure!" Minnowtail purred and they set off for the WindClan border first, Mossypaw and her bringing up the rear. Listening to the apprentices' energetic chatter though it was late, she couldn't help but smile.

"I'm so tired!" yawned Mossypaw. "Pinefur would have us back in our nests by now." They had finished exploring, and the moon was rising. "Okay, you may go to sleep now. Rushpaw and Troutpaw will probably help you make your nests," Reedwhisker instructed. The two apprentices dashed off, and Minnowtail nodded to the black tom and slid into her nest, worn out from the day.

"You're back at last," Shredtail greeted her with a nod. "Yes. What are we doing today?" Minnowtail asked, lashing her tail in preparation for the tough night ahead. "Come," he flicked his tail, gesturing for her to follow.

Two cats were already there, Applefur...and Mousewhisker. Minnowtail waited for the gray-and-white tom's dark green eyes to light up, but it didn't. Pushing the stab of disappointment away, she turned to face Shredtail.

"Tonight, you will be training a two-versus-one. Applefur, you're the most experienced, so you'll start." he instructed before leaping away.

Without hesitation, Mousewhisker dashed forward, claws outstretched to grip Applefur's mottled brown fur. The she-cat hissed and dodged, scoring her claws across his side. Minnowtail folowed slowly, accessing Applefur's every move. She seemed to think they were going for open attack, but Minnowtail wanted to fool her.

Spotting a river nearby, she slowly lowered herself into it, catching Mousewhisker's eye and gesturing with her tail. The gray-and-white tom seemed to understand. Wriggling out from Applefur's sharp claws, he fled towards the river. The mottled brown ShadowClan she-cat glanced at Shredtail, as if wondering if he could call the practice to a halt, but the ragged dark brown tabby didn't.

Just as Applefur was hesitating, Mousewhisker darted in, gave her a nip on the shoulder, and danced gracefully away. Minnowtail, watching from the surface of the water, allowed herself to admire the ThunderClan tom's speed and skill. Then she shook herself back to reverie and watched as Mousewhisker lured their opponent towards the river.

Hurling herself from the water with droplets spinning from her fur and yowling a battle cry, she lunged for Applefur and knocked her over. Mousewhisker pummelled her belly but the young ShadowClan warrior heaved herself up, panting.

Bunching her muscles tightly, she leapt for Minnowtail, swift as a hawk. But she was ready. Dropping to a defensive roll, she gripped her opponent's shoulders tightly, raking her belly with her hind claws. Applefur shrieked and lashed out with one paw, catching Minnowtail's already-torn ear.

Despite the pain, Minnowtail stifled an exasperated sigh. Yet again, the mottled brown she-cat had forgotten that she was fighting two cats!

Mousewhisker jumped out from a bush and took over, screeching as he clawed Applefur's cheek. She flipped over, and kicked out with her strong back legs. Mousewhisker dodged the blow and sent one in return that sent the ShadowClan warrior reeling.

"Alright, enough!" Shredtail had finally come to stop the fight. "You did well, but Mousewhisker, you were far too slow. Minnowtail, in the first part, you left him to Applefur. But Applefur, you forgot that there were two opponents! That is absolutely the worst mistake to make." He glared at the she-cat viciously. 

When she had bowed her head submissively, Shredtail nudged Minnowtail roughly. "It's your turn, and don't end up like how you did last time," he growled. She winced at the memory. Dark Forest warriors had been taunting her for having an infection ever since them-they called it a weakness. But she had matured and grown more powerful since then-and even got Mossypaw!

"Begin." This time, Mousewhisker leaped again, and Minnowtail reared up to bat him away, quickly dropping down to kick with her back legs where she thought Applefur would be. She was proved right at the sensation of tearing flesh. 

Ducking as Applefur hurled herself at her, Minnowtail leaped high into the air and twisted, landing on Mousewhisker's broad shoulders and raking his spine.

Claws gripped her tail and dragged her off the gray-and-white tom. Applefur loomed over her, striking her cheek with a strong blow. Flung to the ground, Minnowtail gasped for air, winded. She rolled quickly, not wanting to be frozen to the ground, and Mousewhisker's paws thumped the soil where she had been less than a heartbeat ago.

Fully recovered now, Minnowtail scrambled to her paws and swiped at Applefur, one way then another, before dropping down and twisting to lash at Mousewhisker's ear, tearing it. Suddenly, claws raked her spine and hooked her paws from underneath her, bowling her over. ShadowClan scent wafted into her nostrils. Applefur.

Yowling as the ShadowClan she-cat churned her paws viciously on her spine, Minnowtail struggled, but could not free herself. Spotting Shredtail coming closer to end the fight, an idea popped into her head.

She let herself fall limp, then rolled instantly. She heard a wail of protest as Applefur was thrown off, evidently winded. Grimacing at the agony from her spine, Minnowtail sliced her claws across Mousewhisker's flank, then sank her teeth into his leg. 

She saw Applefur throw herself at Minnowtail again from the corner of her eye, and dodged just in time. The mottled brown she-cat crashed into Mousewhisker, who stared at her, dumbfounded. Minnowtail, who had gotten away in the nick of time, smirked at the sight.

"Alright, game over. Mousewhisker, you will not do it because you are still new, and again, your speed is at work. Please do not gawp at your Clanmate if they make a mistake and cannonball into you, too! Applefur, pretty good, but anticipate Minnowtail's tricks more. Trust me, she is as slippery as a fish. And finally, Minnowtail. A good warrior, but injured far too easily. There is room for improvement, but at least you didn't almost die again."

Then, the dark brown tabby tom flicked his tail and disappeared. Minnowtail was about to close her eyes but Mousewhisker stopped her. "What was he talking about?" he asked, wide-eyed.