Jayfeather's Choice

Chapter 9

Smokepaw jumped as she heard a twig snap behind her. She turned around. The past moon of training had really helped. Her senses were sharp and her reactions were getting better by the day. She relaxed as she realized that it was only a squirrel.

In the past moon, two cats that FallenClan thought were dead had arrived. Squirrelflight and Rowanclaw had been told of what happened, and quickly agreed to join the new Clan.

She snapped back into reality. This is my Warriors Assesment! I can't just dose off!

She fixed her eyes on the squirrel, moons of training finally paying off. The squirrel turned around and squealed in alarm, racing up a tree.

No! Smokepaw thought, panicked. She watched as the squirrel ran up a branch, and before she knew what she was doing, she leaped, high in the air, and snagged the squirrel out of the tree. Her claws left a small gash down the squirell's stomach. It screeched before falling dead. Smokepaw smiled in satisfaction. Suddenly, a huge weight pinned her down. Crowfeather roared, his amber eyes determined. Smokepaw screamed. Suddenly, a tingling sensation stirred up in Smokepaw's stomach. Crowfeather suddenly jumped back into the tree. Fallen leaves flew back into their branches. A raven that was flying overhead flew backwards.

What's happening? Smokepaw felt as if she had no control over her body. Crowfeather was now well hidden in the leaves.

Suddenly, everything was still.

Huh? 

Suddenly, Crowfeather leaped out the trees and roared. Smokepaw screamed, jumping out of the way as Crowfeather crashed to the ground, quickly leaping to his feet.

"This is the final part of your assesment." Crowfeather snarled. "Claws sheathed, but trust me, losing will still be painful"

Crowfeather scrambled up a tree, Smokepaw running after him. She saw the occasional flickering of shadows, and eventually observed Crowfeather's pattern. He jumped from the highest branch to the lowest, then back up again.

I just have to wait for him to come back down to the lowest branch, then I can do the thing that I did with the squirrel.

She waited until she saw the faint shadow of Crowfeather on the leaves of the lowest branch, then leaped into the air, yowling as she sent a forceful strike to Crowfeather's hind legs. She watched as Crowfeather's knees buckled, and quickly ran out of the way as Crowfeather came crashing to the ground.

"So.... are you ready to surrender yet, or do you want me to continue fighting you."

"I... surrender." Crowfeather mewed, shaking dirt off his pelt. Smokepaw smiled, sitting down.

"I think that means I've passed-" Smokepaw screamed as Crowfeather tackled her, striking her with powerful, quick paw strikes.

Pain made her vision blurry. Suddenly, her vision cleared. Her ears rang. Time slowed. She watched as Crowfeather swung his paw at her in slow motion.

What?!

Smokepaw quickly blocked his strike, earning a surprised look from Crowfeather. That moment of hesitation was all she needed. Using all her strength, Smokepaw grabbed onto Crowfeather's arm with her paws and flung him over, landing on all fours. Crowfeather grunted as he hit to ground, panting.

"That's enough." Smokepaw turned around and saw Mistystar padding towards Smokepaw. 

"You have shown great skills and fast reactions as a warrior. You are better than most warriors will ever be. You have passed." Smokepaw beamed, pride making her heart race.