Mapleshade's Revenge

Chapter Fourteen

"Maplepaw?" An exasperated voice mewed, "Maplepaw! Are you listening?" Snowspeck's firm meow jerked Maplepaw back into reality.

The Gathering was that very night; Maplepaw felt that the day couldn't possibly go any slower.  She had already been scolded twice for daydreaming and snapped at once for not following the correct directions that were given to her in training.

A cuff on the ear made Maplepaw spin around. Snowspeck was sitting behind her, his thin white tail curled over his paws. Lionpaw and Mistpaw stood behind him, laughter dancing in their eyes.

Maplepaw jumped to her paws, "What was that for?"

"When you are ready to join the training session feel free." Snowspeck coolly mewed.

Maplepaw sighed, "Sorry."

Surely Snowspeck would allow her to still go to the Gathering! He couldn't be so cruel as to make her stay in the camp with the elders and Willowstar's three mewling kits!

Snowspeck rose to his paws steadily, "Okay, now that everyone is paying attention, lets begin training."

Mudspots padded forward to stand next to Snowspeck. "Now," She mewed, "The move we will be practicing today is quite advanced, so most likely you won't get it the first time." Mudspots pointed to Brackenpelt standing next to his apprentice, Mistpaw, with her tail, "Brackenpelt and I will demonstrate."

The large dark brown tom quickly trotted to where Mudspots was waiting. The two mentors began to cautiously circle eachother, while their apprentices watched with wide eyes.

Maplepaw sat, silently watching, taking in every moment through narrowed eyes. She held her breath as Mudspots suddenly leapt into the air. Brackenpelt, ready for her, rolled onto his back and pushed upwards as she landed on his four legs. Mudspots let out a yelp as she flew through the air. She landed gracefully, landing on all four paws.

Maplepaw rose to her paws, amazed. "Wow!" She exclaimed, "That was great!"

Brackenpelt stood, shaking the dust out of his pelt. He winked at Maplepaw, then turned to the rest of the apprentices, " Ready to try it?"

Lionpaw jumped to his paws, "I do!"

Mistpaw nodded her head enthusiastically, her clear blue eyes filled with excitement.

Maplepaw flicked her ears as Snowspeck began assigning partners," Lionpaw you will be with Mistpaw."

Lionpaw raised his voice in protest, "Why can't I be with Maplepaw?"

Maplepaw's ears grew hot at Lionpaw's words. She cast a side ways glance at Mistpaw who had a confused expression of her face.

Snowspeck rolled his eyes, "Fine. Mistpaw, you will practice with Brackenpelt then." He flicked Maplepaw's ear as he meowed,"And remember everyone, keep your claws sheathed."

Maplepaw let out a playful hiss as she remembered accidentally scratching Meadowsong's, then Meadowpaw, ear. She slowly sheathed her claws and padded to Lionpaw. "Are you ready?" She questioned.

He nodded happily, then mewed," Can I be the one to jump?"

Maplepaw shrugged, "Why not?"

"Yes!" He exclaimed.

The younger apprentice began to circle Maplepaw.  Maplepaw braced herself as he jumped. She quickly rolled onto her back and threw Lionpaw off as he landed on her, pushing harder than she intended.

Lionpaw let out a yowl as he landed on top of Mudspots.  The spotted she-cat crumpled to the ground under her apprentice.

"Great Starclan! Lionpaw is that you? Get off you great lump!" She hissed through Lionpaw's tail fur.