A Spark in the Night, part one: The Spark Ignites

Chapter two

"Leafpaw, Grasspaw!" Softkit confronted the newly-made apprentices. "That's the old moss from the elders' den that you're putting in my nest! And those are thorns."

The two toms guiltily turned to face her. She could tell they didn't expect to be caught. But they quickly regained their composure. "You should respect us!" Grasspaw teased.

"Yeah," added Leafpaw. "We're apprentices, and you're only three moons old."

Softkit rolled her eyes. "I could tell Emberstar what you did!" she hissed.

Grasspaw snickered. "Like the leader is going to believe a kit."

"Actually," The argument was interrupted and the three young cats turned around.

"Emberstar!" exclaimed Leafpaw. "What are you doing here?" Softkit turned to look at the apprentice. "You can't say that to the leader!"

Emberstar turned to face the apprentices. "I came to see what all the noise was, and I'm glad I did. That's tick duty for a moon, both of you!".

As the black-furred tom with ginger spots left, Leafpaw and Grasspaw turned to glare at Softkit. "This is your fault," snarled Leafpaw.

The apprentices unsheathed their claws and Softkit began to tremble. I can't fight! I'm a kit! They slowly moved closer to her, and started pouncing on areas mouse-lengths away from her, snickering. They're playing with me! Grasspaw lifted his paw to deal a blow on her head, but at that moment, Strikepaw dashed towards them, seemingly out of nowhere, and bundled into Grasspaw, knocking him over. Strikepaw was only a moon older than the two, but he was strong, and the younger apprentices left, muttering. "Th- thank you," stammered Softkit.

Strikepaw simply nodded and bounded towards his mentor, Frostflake.