The blades of the sun

Chapter 8

Oakpaw sighed as Honeypaw stormed away into the camp, why couldn't she see that no one wanted to do her stupid medicine cat duties? They hadn't become medicine cat apprentices with her, so they didn't need to help!

" Honeypaw come back! I didn't mean it like that!" Littlepaw yowled after his sister. He rolled his eyes at the ginger-colored apprentice, he always wanted to be in the right. 

" Leave her to sulk Littlepaw, it's not like we're the only cats in the clan that could help her." He grumbled and headed to his nest. He had sneaked some of the moss that he had collected from the forest into his nest, he could already feel the comfort of the moss. He felt a growl rumble in his throat as he saw Spiderpaw lying in his nest. He sunk his claws into the ground and padded over to the black and white apprentice.

" Get out of my nest, lazy furball!" Oakpaw hissed at his den mate, jabbing him with his paw. Spiderpaw nose his head, his eyes glazed with furry. He stood up and attempted to look threatening.

" I've been in this den longer than you! I believe that I deserve a more comfy nest." He smirked and lay back into the nest. Oakpaw hissed and slammed into his shoulder, sending Spiderpaw tumbling to the other side of the den. He instantly got up and charged at Oakpaw, he could feel his breath touch his face and ducked as Spiderpaw swiped his paw at Oakpaw's face. Spiderpaw leaped at him, his paws shoving Oakpaw to the ground, he then pressed his body so close to Oakpaw he couldn't breathe. He thrashed his paws into the ground and attempted to wriggle free of the Apprentices grip, but he couldn't get him off him.

" Do you give up, fish-breath?" Spiderpaw snarled, his hot breath hitting Oakpaw's face. Oakpaw gritted his teeth, Spiderpaw would bring this up in any argument they had, but he had been an apprentice for longer. He stared at his black paws and hissed, admitting his defeat to himself.

" Fine you win, but only because I haven't learned any fighting or defense moves yet." Oakpaw snarled and got to his paws, licking some of his flat fur. Spiderpaw grinned, triumph and mockery shining in his green eyes. Oakpaw grunted and headed into his nest, his blood still roaring in his ears from his fight with Spiderpaw. His ears pricked as Cloudpaw and Beepaw entered the den, excitement in their gaze. Cloudpaw hopped up to his nest, his paws shaking.

" You'll never guess what just happened!" Cloudpaw excitedly mewed. Oakpaw leaned in closer to tell him that he was listening. "Me, Beepaw, Lakepelt and Solstice just chased off a Badgerclan patrol off our territory!" Cloudpaw excitedly mewed. Oakpaw felt overwhelmed with shock, why hadn't he been told that earlier?! 

" Were you okay?!" Oakpaw mewed dread choking his throat as he imagined his father covered in scars from the battle. Beepaw's and Cloudpaw's eyes glinted with amusement.

" They didn't get a chance to fight back! They ran away so quickly!" Beepaw laughed, his white pointy tail lashing with triumph. Oakpaw sighed, hopefully, Hawkeye would make his next lesson fun. It was so unfair that Littlepaw got to practice battle moves! Oakpaw settled down into his nest, the blades of the grass were comfy and soft and he soon laid down and wrapped his tail across his paws. He rested his head on his tail and let himself fall into a sleep.

When Oakpaw woke into his dream he saw a lush field. The wind brushed against his fur and the cool air made him feel calm. He looked around the mysterious field, around him there was nothing but hills. He then spotted a pond glistening in the sunlight, curiosity prickled at his fur and he bounded up to the pond. He stared into his reflection and concentrated on the amber depths of his eyes, he went to take a sip but something stopped him. He looked up into the water, he spotted a figure emerging from the other side of the pond. He looked up and reconized the cat straight away. Brakenclaw.

" Greetings Oakkit, or is it Oakpaw now?"Brakenclaw greeted him and dipped his head. Oakpaw nodded, his heart pounding. " Tell me, what is it that bothers you most in Rippleclan?" Brakenclaw asked. Oakpaw shifted his black paws uneasily at the question, he knew that Spiderpaw was a big pain in the tail but Solstice also troubled him.

" There's an apprentice called Spiderpaw that I don't get along with." Oakpaw started. Brakenclaw nodded and waited for him to say more. " I also want to impress my father..." Oakpaw murmured. 

" I see. I can teach you a few moves to beat this Spiderpaw and impress your father." Brakenclaw mewed. Oakpaw looked up at him, excitement gnawing at his heart. Was Littlepaw getting extra lessons too? " We will start will one move today, tomorrow I shall teach you more," Brakenclaw explained. Oakpaw nodded and watched him carefully.

"Let's start with a simple back kick. This move is good for pushing foes away, or for knocking cats off balance." Brakenclaw meowed. Oakpaw nodded and watched as Brakenclaw lashed his back legs into the air and swiftly kicked." The trick is to judge where your opponent is, then put all your weight on your front paws and kick them." Oakpaw tried to remember exactly how his dream mentor did the move and attempted to copy it. He looked behind him and put all his weight on his forepaws, but as he did he tumbled over onto the soft grass.

" Good try but try to keep your body more balanced, don't lean forward as much," Brakenclaw suggested. Oakpaw dipped his head and tried again, this time keeping his chest more in. He felt a wave of satisfaction as he lashed out his legs into the air and then span around to see what Brakenclaw thought. " Verry good! I must go now, I'll teach you more tommrow." Brakenclaw concluded and started to fade away. Oakpaw felt exciement rise in his chest, he would get Solstice to notice him!