Chapter Two

"Hunting has been good in ShadowClan." Raggedstar announced, as the other cats listened in. ShadowClan looked as if they were anticipating something…but what? "Two new kits were born –Ashkit and Whitekit. But on a slightly darker note, WindClan ambushed one of our border patrols yesterday. There were many injuries, but we managed to hold them off. I am not sure what your motives are, Gorsestar, but I would appreciate it if you didn't just attack with no reason."

"Liar!" Gorsestar hissed back. "ShadowClan attacked our patrol! You would have killed our warriors if they didn't—"

"Stop!" Owlstar of ThunderClan commanded. The quarrelling leaders turned to him. "Look up. Clouds are covering the moon – mere moments into our Gathering, and you have already angered StarClan. Stop your quarrelling. There are better things to worry about. I call this Gathering to a close."

Disappointed and angered sentiments went around the assembled cats. Shortpaw for one had absolutely no idea what was going on.

"See you," Smallpaw mewed, dipping his head quickly and bounding off to where ThunderClan cats were assembling. Shortpaw could see Streakpaw bounding over towards him.

"Hey, Shortpaw! We should go and meet Gorsestar and the other WindClan cats now." Streakpaw mewed. "What did you think of Raggedstar? He's a poor liar, isn't he?"

"Yeah," Shortpaw replied, half-staring into space as he followed the other apprentice. "Why do the leaders fight so much? Wouldn't it be easier if they were just happy with the land they had, and got on with their own Clan's lives?" Streakpaw seemed to consider this for a moment.

"You have a good point there. But honestly, it's the leaders' decision. If they want to life happy lives, they need to all get on – and some are easier to please than others." He rolled his eyes in the direction of the retreating ShadowClanners, and Shortpaw laughed.

"Hurry up! We can't wait for some lazy apprentices." Gorsestar snapped. Shortpaw and Streakpaw swapped a glance, and rushed after him.

* * *

"How was the Gathering?" Whirlpaw asked, when they got back. The apprentices lay on a section of the ground, under the stars. It was always relaxing to look up, and watch them twinkle… Streakpaw launched into an elaborate story about how horrible Raggedstar was, and how he was plotting to take over the whole forest. Shortpaw listened in for a while – contrary to prior belief, it was actually quite amusing listening to what the others had to say.

It wasn't too long before some of the warriors were telling Streakpaw to shut up and go to sleep. He made a comment about cranky old badgers, and obliged. Shortpaw lay there looking at silverpelt. It seemed so far away…and yet their warrior ancestors were so near. But why weren't they helping with the battle against ShadowClan? It didn't make any sense…

* * *

Shortpaw was nudged awake in the morning. He quickly jumped up, to find Cloudfur looking at him.

"Sorry to wake you, but are you up for some training?" His mentor asked. Shortpaw agreed enthusiastically – it seemed like forever since they had done any training! The two of them set out to leave the camp, when they saw Shadowwind and Pebblepaw leaving the same way as them.

"Hey, Cloudfur." Shadowwind mewed casually.

"Hello, Shadowwind. Are you out for some training?" Cloudfur asked as they left the camp.

"Yeah, I was going to give Pebblepaw some battle training."

"That sounds like a good idea. Mind if we join you?" Shortpaw's head shot up – training with his father's apprentice?

"Sure. Maybe I can give you a lesson as a more experienced mentor!" Shadowwind joked. Once they were far enough from the camp but still on WindClan territory, the training session began.

"Let's start with the teeth grip technique." Cloudfur began. Pebblepaw was nodding enthusiastically. "Just grab onto your opponents leg, or tail…" He cut off. "Your opponent's leg, ear or scruff. Today we'll just try and do it gently, but in battle push down with your teeth to cause as much pain as possible. Got it?"

"Yes, Cloudfur!" Pebblepaw answered loudly. Shortpaw nodded, quite startled by Pebblepaw's outbreak.

"Right. Anyway, perhaps you two would like to train with each other today. After all, both of you are new to the technique." Shadowwind suggested.

"Great idea, mentor!" Pebblepaw remarked. Shadowwind glared at him levelly until Pebblepaw realized he was meant to start. He circled Shortpaw for a few moments, before leaping out for his left forepaw. Shortpaw leaped backwards, just regaining his footing. Pebblepaw quickly got his balance back, and aimed for Shortpaw's scruff – Shortpaw quickly moved to the right, and went to fasten his teeth around Pebblepaw's tail. He pulled downwards, unbalancing the other apprentice.

Pebblepaw's tail… He had a tail. Why did Pebblepaw have a tail? Is that why he was a better apprentice? Maybe Shortpaw's entire apprenticehood so far…all of his failures…had they all been because of his [i]stump[/i]?! He would get a tail. He would get one, if—

"Shortpaw, what in StarClan's name are you doing?" Cloudfur yelled out. He pushed Shortpaw away from Pebblepaw. Shortpaw lost his balance and fell to the ground. Pebblepaw was crying out in pain – there were bite marks on his tail, and he was bleeding heavily.

"Why did you do that, Shortpaw?" Shadowwind hissed. Shortpaw hung his head with shame under his father's glare.

"I…I…I didn't mean—"

"We should get Pebblepaw to Barkface as quickly as possible. It looks like he'll be alright if he just gets some cobweb around this." Cloudfur reported. Shadowwind nodded, glared at Shortpaw, and with Cloudfur's help started to carry Pebblepaw back to the camp. It seemed the apprentice was getting dizzy with blood loss.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Shortpaw asked. Shadowwind turned around.

"You've done quite enough. Go back to camp and help the elders. But take a different route than us – the last think Pebblepaw needs now is you walking around." Shortpaw nodded, sadly, and started off back to camp.