Lemurstar's Prophecy (book two)

Chapter 12

Morningstar shoved Lemurpaw forward, and Lemurpaw guessed she was standing in a clearing, her sister facing opposite to her. She crouched, lashing her tail in distaste, and let out a growl of anger. How could she fight her sister, her best friend, how could she possibly hurt her? The thought of it made her skin run cold.

Lemurpaw's senses seemed extra alert. She twitched as the sound of Morningstar's paws crunched towards the middle of the clearing to her right. She heard the rustle of fur as her tail curled round her paws. She even heard the intake of her leader's breath before she spoke.

"Begin."

Without hesitation Turtlepaw leaped at her sister, taking Lemurpaw by surprise. She felt her sister's claws dig deep into her shoulder where Morningstar had struck her, and she felt her claws twist under the skin. Lemurpaw barely felt the agony. She was infuriated at her sister. Her tail was shaking with anger. How could her sister hurt her in such a way?!

Lemurpaw ripped herself away from her sister, tail lashing, blood pouring from the reopened wound in her shoulder, and crouched. Her sister did the same, judging by the sound of her pawsteps, perfectly in sync with Lemurpaw's. They moved around in a slow, tense circle.

Lemurpaw swiveled her ears around, and smelled. She made tiny clicks under her breath, and she could almost hear the sounds bouncing off her sister. By now she had a clear image in her mind of what was happening. She launched herself at her sister, landing squarely on her back, and winced at her cry of pain as she ran her claws down her hips and sides. Turtlepaw bucked underneath her, and Lemurpaw leaped up, knowing there was a tree above her. She clung to the tree with strong claws, and turned around, still making tiny clicks.

Her sister was growling, and almost underneath her by now. Lemurpaw took the opportunity to leap over her sister, landing behind her and turning around. She ducked under her belly and ran a claw down her soft fur, before pushing off the tree trunk on the other side to spin around once more, and planting a firm paw on a very dazed Turtlepaw.

"Well done, Lemurpaw!" Morningstar praised. "Where did you learn those techniques?!" Her mew was light, but dripping with anger. Or was it envy?

Lemurpaw almost felt sick. "I made it up as I went." She said quietly. She stepped off her sister, who was not angry. In fact, she was very pleased. Her breath was airy and fascinated.

"Wow! Teach me that move?!" She cried, her legs bouncing up and down. Lemurpaw lowered her head.

"S-Sure... I guess..." She mumbled. They headed to the camp, and Lemurpaw felt terrible. Limping away, she had a knot in her stomach. Was this what training would be like all the time?