Dreamshade's Destiny

Chapter Three

Dreampaw yawned. They stood in a beautiful mossy clearing where they often practised battle skills. Last night, she hadn't gotten any sleep. She had been wondering who she would kill, when she would kill them and why. Would I kill Red? Maybe I would kill one of the bad cats. Or maybe I try and save someone. Maybe from falling down a cliff, but I accidentally let them fall... Oh, StarClan. Killing a cat, on purpose or on accident, would be terrible!

She had been so wrapped up in her thoughts she hadn't listened to a word Driftwood had said. "Dreampaw. Have you got that?" Her mentor broke into her thoughts.

"Erm... Sorry?" She mewed, trying to look attentive. "I said I want you to rear up to fight Shadepaw, but tuck your tail in so she can't grab it."

How on earth am I going to balance? She wondered. She padded forwards, her paws making no sound on the soft surface. She flattened her ears, let her fur bristle on her back and her claws glint in the sunlight.

She padded forwards, showing her teeth. Shadepaw puffed her fur out, made herself look taller and snarled down at her.

As Shadepaw leapt, she unsheathed her claws, reared up and smacked her away. She tucked her tail close in. And as Shadepaw went to leap again, she lurched forwards. Her muzzle smacked into the ground. "Ouch!" She squeaked.

She heard Driftwood sigh. "I can't balance without a tail!" She turned around and snapped. "Well you have to learn to! Otherwise you let your enemy win in battle."

Dreampaw huffed. "Well I'm moons away from being allowed in battle! I wish I was actually allowed to fight!"

"You are only five moons old, don't forget." Driftwood reminded her sharply. Dreampaw huffed. She had a long apprenticeship ahead of her.

* * *

She made her way back into camp, battered and bruised, her muzzle sore. Driftwood had given up and had taught her twist-and-belly rake move instead, which she had mastered. She had also learnt the most effective ways to use a front paw blow, and how to kick someone from behind without falling over.

Tomorrow she was meant to learn how to sweep a cat's legs from under them, and how to strike the throat with a force that could make them cough and splutter, but not killing them. She was slightly worried about that. What if she killed her mentor?

Her ears twitched as the sound of a rustle made its way to her. Her head snapped round. "I'll catch up in a moment, I think I can hear some prey!" She called to the others. Dreampaw opened her jaws and let the scents flood into her mouth. All she could smell was damp leaves and toadstools... With something else. Cat.

She glanced behind her. Should she warn the others? No, she was going to be a warrior, even if she was pretty much still a kit!

"Show yourself!" She growled, and shrank back, embarrassed. Her growl was still the high-pitched almost squeaky like kit growl.

 "Relax, it's only me." A young, familiar face popped out the bushes. "Red! I haven't seen you for a couple of days." Dreampaw mewed.

"You look too young to be out battle training. Did you get apprenticed early?" The red tom asked, his voice still smooth and accented. "Yep... It seems alot harder. Wavepaw makes it look so easy! And Darkpaw is a natural fighter. Shadepaw... She can track even the faintest prey-scents.. And I can't do either of those things! I haven't caught a thing since my first catch, and..." She trailed off. She was whining like a kit.

"I can teach you." Red offered, his voice soft and sympathetic. "Oi! Dreampaw! Any day now would be great." Driftwood's voice came echoing through the forest towards her. "Meet me at moonhigh tonight. Oh and, take this, I caught it on the way as a snack, but you need it more than I do." Red passed her a mouse.