Elemental Claws: Cliff's Perspective

Inferior

I stared up at the sky from my favorite nook. I was wondering where Juniper had disappeared to for so long when I heard pawsteps approach. I turned to face the source. Nathan hesitated before speaking. 

"I need to take care of some things. Can you supervise a training battle between Velocity and Moon?" he asked. 

I nodded. 

"Thanks. They're at the lake," he said. 

I padded down, Ice joining my on my way. How had I ended up being someone asked to supervise kits? 

"Ok. Velocity, Moon. Remember that this is a training battle. No drawing blood, but still fight hard, and fight smart," I instructed. 

The trainers nodded and stepped away from each other. I swiped my claw through the air to signal the start. I analyzed their fight patterns, easily finding their strengths and weaknesses. Ice watched with large eyes, taking in everything. 

I took note of a shecat with black fur watching from a distance. I didn't recognize her, nor did she look like a tribe cat. I decided to wait. If she did anything, I could alert Nathan. 

I turned my attention back to the trainers and noticed that Moon, Nathan's trainer, was not doing well compared to Velocity. Her movements were weak and sloppy. I frowned, trying to think of advice to give her. 

"C'mon, Moon! Focus!" I called to her. My words fell on deaf ears and I sighed. 

Soon, cats gathered around to watch the two young trainers. The black cat suddenly didn't stand out anymore. She looked like another bystander. I tensed up. Something didn't seem right. Cats began shouting and routing for one trainer or the other. Even the black cat began to call out. I studied her eyes, grey, like mine. She was a fellow dark element, meaning I could easily take her on. 

Even Nathan and Mango came down to spectate. Nathan frowned, seeming to be ashamed of how he failed to prepare Moon. I watching him from the corner of my eye. I hoped he would notice the black cat. He didn't, of course he didn't. She didn't look out of the ordinary now that there were other spectators. 

My train of thought derailed as Velocity threw Moon from the shore into the lake. My eyes widened as I hurried over to the edge of the water. She surfaced, sputtering out water. Ice manipulated the water to gently push her back to shore. Velocity didn't get the hint, and pounced onto Moon, sending her back under the surface. 

The small crowd moved to sit along the shoreline. The black cat sat on the other side of Nathan. All my fur stood up. Was he really too invested in the battle to notice a rogue sitting right next to him. The battle continued, Moon failing to land any critical hits on Velocity despite being given tips and advice. 

After the battle, the black cat had the audacity to approach Moon. Nathan looked shocked when she stepped in front of him to address Moon. Nathan swerved around her and sat in front of Moon. I took my place next to him. 

"Excuse me, but Moon is my apprentice," he told the rogue passive aggressively. 

"I'm sorry," she responded. "I'm Shade. I just wanted to give her some tips."

Nathan's face softened, but I wanted to blanch.

"We don't need help from rogues here," I said, almost snarling. "They aren't very welcome either."

"It's my job to teach her anyways.." Nathan muttered, obviously uncomfortable from the tension. 

Shade's ears flattened. I had already asserted dominance. She sat up straighter, not quite willing to give up. 

"Well sorry for being nice," she said curtly. "Maybe I should just leave."

"Yes," I smirked. "Maybe you should."

"No, no. We always appreciate help," Nathan interjected.

"So you trust a rogue?" I rolled my eyes.

"No, I-" he tried to defend himself. 

"Well what if I was a tribe member?" Shade interjected. 

"No-" I shouted at the same time as Nathan said, "Yes!"

Shade smiled as I scowled. Nathan shifted uncomfortably as the growing rift between us stretched even wider. As Shade turned to give Moon some tips, I pulled Nathan aside. 

"So you're just going to admit a rogue who you know nothing about?" I questioned.

"Her name is Shade," he stated, not even able to make eye contact. "And she's a dark element."

"I'm the strongest warrior and Ghost poisons any water he drinks from. What could we need another dark element for?"

"I don't know. I just wanted to be nice."

"Like how you won't punish Juniper for attempted murder?"

"That's different. He's missing right now."

"You're hopeless," I sighed, shaking my head. 

As I walked off, I gave Shade a piercing glare for good measure. Let her be smug with her new status. I could make it so miserable, she'd willingly leave.