Shining of the Four

Chapter 41

            "CATS OF OUR TRIBE!" Oak yowled from the center of their small camp. The cats gathered beside him, and Salmon stood near her father, shaking from excitement and nervousness.

            "Salmon has completed her first part of initiation. In order to fulfill the second, it is time she fights me. Unlike other initiations, winning against me will declare Salmon rightful heir and leader to the tribe!"

            Cats roared, excited. Oak grinned, then turned to Salmon.

            "Are you ready?" he asked.

            Salmon nodded.

            The cats began to move out, creating a small clearing for Salmon and Oak to wrestle in. Salmon stood near the edge of one side, facing her father. She took a breath, telling herself this was only her father. Still, he was the leader of the tribe, a far better fighter than her.

            I must fight like I mean it, Salmon thought. I must fight to become leader. I must fight for Cherry Blossom.

            There was silence as the roar of the crowd died down, leaving Salmon to face her father. Berry stood near the side, glancing around.

            "Begin," she said simply.

            Before Salmon could react, Oak was already racing towards her, his feet moving at speeds Salmon had never seen before. Quickly, she ducked under him and ran the other way, him still chasing after her.

            Knowing she could not run forever, she turned around and faced him, shutting her eyes. His body slammed against hers, and she was forced to the ground, gasping for breath. Oak pinned her down, his claws sharply held into her shoulders. Salmon had heard it said that some died during this event. She did not want to be another one of those victims.

            Growling, she pushed Oak off of her with all her might and sprang at him, extending her sharp claws and landing on his back. Oak yowled as she sank her claws into his back. For a moment, she was frightened for her father. She did not want to kill him.

            This moment of weakness, however, was used to Oak's benefit, and he knocked her off, causing her to sprawl onto the floor. Salmon stood up, her legs shaking. Her heart was racing quickly, and she gulped as her father came near her.

            She sprang to the side, the tip of his claw touching her foot. Though she did not lose balance and fall, there was a stinging on her leg, and she looked down to see blood soaking into the white fur that covered there.

            Angry, she leapt over her father, and before he could turn, she swiped at his legs, causing him to fall backwards. Salmon leapt on top of him before he could get up, pinning the tom down with all her might. Oak was clever though, and he used his back legs to claw at her stomach.

            Salmon fell off and Oak rolled over, turning to face Salmon. He pinned her down before she could move, and she gulped. Never before had she seen such fierceness and determination in her father's eyes. It was as if he did not want her to win. She knew just as well as the others that he was not going to go easy on her just because she was his daughter.

            Salmon struggled beneath her father's grip, hissing at him. She tried to push him off, but it was no use. Cats were beginning to fall silent, and Berry eyed them. The fight would end if Salmon could not fight any longer.

            Salmon shut her eyes. Cherry Blossom, Mother, if you're there, please help me now.

            Salmon wasn't sure if it was actually her mother, or the motivation to fight for her mother, that allowed her to knock Oak off. Oak, astounded by her strength, came near her again. Salmon swung her paw across his cheek and knocked him over, Oak hitting the ground hard.