Ghosts of the Clans

Chapter 1

"Honestly, Redpaw! I'm blind in one eye, and even I did better at battle training when I was an apprentice!" Whitewater scoffed, letting him go from under her. The long-furred white she-cat had bowled him over with one hefty swipe of her paw, despite Redpaw's thrashing.

He glared at his mentor. I keep tripping over your long fur- it makes me want to sneeze! He longed to retort back, but the warrior code commanded respect to the older cats. So, he held his tongue, simply glaring at Whitewater mutinously.

After hearing no apology from the mottled tom, Whitewater let out a long sigh, trying to stay calm. "Try again," she instructed.

Concentrating on her white fur in front of him, Redpaw slowed his breath, letting strength gather in his muscles as she charged, straight towards him. He slipped to one side easily, flashing out a paw, but Whitewater's fur brushed his nose and he stifled a sneeze, stumbling in the effort to hold it in.

But by the time his nose had stopped itching, Whitewater knocked him over and placed a paw on his throat, her claws sheathed. "Now, what happened?" she sounded more annoyed than ever.

Frustration burned in his belly as Redpaw spat at his mentor. "For StarClan's sake, Whitewater, it's only my third training session! Not to mention your long fur- it makes me sneeze! So, don't blame me." he stalked off from the clearing, his tail bushed and trembling with rage.

"Redpaw, wait." Whitewater caught up to him quickly, her orange eye meeting his. "I'm sorry if I snapped, but I can't help my long fur. Go rest, and in the evening when you've cooled down, we'll try again." But despite her apology, her tone was still exasperated.

Redpaw felt a fresh wave of anger. "Then I might just ask Blackstar to change my mentor," he snapped at the white she-cat, hurrying away.

Whitewater didn't follow him, but he could feel her gaze boring into his brown-and-ginger pelt. Huffing in irritation, he pushed into the camp.