Skypaw's Fury

Chapter 19

Days got longer. Patients got shorter. Gorsetail was gone and Skypaw's new mentor was Flutteringwind. At least she believed Skypaw was getting her moves right. But Skypaw still didn't like her. Ever though she never liked Gorsetail, she still missed him a bit. It has been two moons since Gorsetail left. Once and a while patrols would pick up his scent on a border. But they could never find him. But other than that, Skypaw hasn't seen him since.

It was Skypaw's, Snowpaw's, Rosepaw's, and Grasspaw's warrior assessment. Woodpaw was younger, so he was still an apprentice. Skypaw practiced hard last night.

"Okay Skypaw, Snowpaw, Rosepaw, and Grasspaw" Cedarheart began, Flutteringwind, Smalltail, and Longear at her side. "Today is your warrior assessment, are you excited?" She asked. "Yes!" The four apprentices squealed like kits. "Good, because it's going to be fun, and hard. Longear, why don't you tell them what to do?" Longear stepped forward at Cedarheart's command. "Thank you Cedarheart." He dipped his head to the tan warrior. "We will be pairing you up today," Skypaw and Rosepaw exchanged a swift glance, hoping to become partners. "Rosepaw and Snowpaw," Longear said. Skypaw let out a huff. "Skypaw and Grasspaw." Skypaw glanced at Grasspaw, who was gazing at her. Creep. Skypaw thought. He really likes me, but he needs to back off a little. Skypaw looked at Longear as he continued. "You will be hunting together, and do not come back until you both have caught one thing, or two or three." He added. Skypaw could feel Grasspaw's gaze burning into her gray pelt. She bit her tongue to keep her self from shouting at him to stop looking at her. She shut Grasspaw out of her mind and focused on what Longear was saying. "The results will determine how much prey you bring back in in a short time." Longear ran his gaze over the apprentices. Skypaw dug her claws into the ground, imagining it was a fat frog. Snowpaw twitched his tail impatiently. "Ready?" Flutteringwind mewed excitedly. The apprentices nodded. Smalltail took a step forward. "And remember, your mentors will be watching you, but you won't see us. And don't look for us either." She added quickly. Cedarheart nodded. She narrowed her eyes at the four young cats one last time. "Go!" She yowled suddenly. Grasspaw and Skypaw scrabbled away. "To the swamp?" Grasspaw panted as he ran. Skypaw nodded. "Yeah, the swamp." She gasped, out of breath. The two cats cut through the forest. When they finally arrived at the swamp, Skypaw was wheezing. "Okay..." She choked. "Let's hunt." Grasspaw nodded, also out of breath. They approached the swamp slowly. Skypaw scanned the murky water carefully. "Look." Grasspaw whispered. He flicked his tail to a head of a large frog peeking out of the water. It was in reach for them to grab it. "Okay, you hit, I'll kill." Skypaw decided. Grasspaw nodded in agreement. Skypaw backed away slowly, ready to catch the frog. She crouched in the sturdy mud. Skypaw relished the feeling of the mud between her pads. She sat still while Grasspaw watched the frog. Carefully, he cast out his paw. Grasspaw struck the surprised frog. It flew through the air, and Skypaw was ready. She leaped in the humid air. The frog was flying at her, and she almost laughed at it's surprised expression. Skypaw grabbed the frog in her claws and brought it down, killing it with a swat to the belly. Grasspaw padded back to her, his eyes glittering. "Perfect!" He purred. Grasspaw's gaze lockedwith her's. Skypaw quickly looked down at the frog. "Yes, quite a perfect frog!" She mewed awkwardly. A loud squawking caught her attention. She turned her head to see a Grackle hopping at the foot of a pine tree, pecking around the roots. Skypaw glanced at Grasspaw. The young cat, yet again, locked his beautiful amber gaze with her's. Skypaw looked away. I hate when he does that... Skypaw looked back up. Playfulness shimmered in his eyes. "Let's get it." He whispered.

When they returned, they were the first to arrive. They had caught two frogs and a grackle. Flutteringwind and Smalltail were waiting for them. They probably got here before us, after watching. Skypaw puffed out her chest as she carried the Grackle. She glanced at Grasspaw who had the same expression as Skypaw as he carried the two frogs. Skypaw and Grasspaw dropped their catches at the warrior's feet. They observed the prey. "Nice." Smalltail complimented. "Well." Flutteringwind mewed. "It looks as if we're going to have to schedule a warrior ceremony!" Skypaw and Grasspaw gasped. Warriors? Skypaw the thought in disbelief. Wow.