"Riptide!"

I lifted my head and felt my cheek, which was now no longer covered in cobwebs and was feeling better. Thunder stood over me with a big grin on his face.

"I don't have to pick ticks off the elders anymore!" Thunder purred, "And Blaze says we can go on patrols now!".

Really?!

I bounced up and smiled a stupid smile.

"Then what are we waiting for?!" I cheered, "Let's go!".

We left the burrow and I took in the fresh air, it felt great! I felt free after being stuffed in there for days!

I shook my fur out and roamed through the forest.

"Wait up!" Thunder called.

I kept going until I tripped on a rock and tumbled down a hill and fell into a lake.

"MAH!" I yelled as I scrambled for the land beside me. I pulled myself out of the water and shook it out, it got on Thunder.

"Hey!" Thunder snapped, "You got me wet!".

"It's not going to kill you" I said dryly, "C'mon, let's go find a patrol to join".

"And not even say hi to me?"

Thunder and I looked up to see Martha the Mandibuzz perched up on a tree looking down at us. Martha was somewhat of a mentor to all the pups and kits in Willow Creek, and we all loved her.

"Hey Martha" Thunder purred, "I don't have to listen to the elders talk anymore, me and Riptide are back on patrols!".

"Well, the elders are much older than you, and very wise at that" Martha explained, "Even if they're a little grumpy".

"Look!" I shouted to my brother, "It's a patrol coming this way!".

I saw Berry leading Blaze, Camellia, Reynard, and Iquana through the forest. Berry had a Starly in his jaws while the others had Caterpie and Weedle.

"Hey dears" Blaze said with a curt nod, "Speaking with Martha?".

"Yeah" Thunder replied, "We were just about to join a patrol, can we join you guys?".

"I have an idea" Berry meowed, "Ragged Wing's hatchlings haven't learned battle moves yet, why not have them and Blaze's sons train together, you and Blaze can bring the fresh-kill to the elders while you help me train them Martha".

Cameilla took Berry's Starly and her and Blaze left with the rest of the prey. Martha landed next to Berry and Reynard and Iguana were facing me and Thunder.

"We saw Willow Creek Bandits the other day" Berry said to Martha, "If they're attacking, we'll need to train them how to fight".

"Yes, of course" Martha replied, "Riptide, what do you know?".

"How to dodge?" I replied, "Is this a trick question?".

"So in other words, nothing" Berry growled, "Iguana, jump at Thunder. Thunder, dodge it and try to pin him".

Iquana leaped at Thunder, but he dodged it and barely missed the fire coming from Iguana's tail. Thunder went behind Iquana and shoved him to the ground and turned him and pinned him.

"Good" Martha said, "Now Riptide, get on your back".

"What?" I asked.

"Get on your back" Berry snarled.

I looked at him warily and placed myself on my back.

"Reynard" Martha said, "Hit his face with your tail. Riptide, dodge it".

"WHAT?!" I freaked out when I saw Reynard's flaming tail fly towards me. I dodged and jumped backwards when he tried to hit my face again.

"Good, now for tree climbing" Berry said, "It'll be harder for Reynard and Iquana to do it, but you must learn in case".

"Like when you climb a tree to jump your enemies" Martha suggested, "Riptide, Thunder. Get on the tree".

I leaped on the tree trunk and sank my claws in the bark. Thunder did the same right below me.

"Both of you find your own tree branch to be on" Berry ordered.

I climbed to a low branch, and I saw Felis and Dew walking.

"Hey, Felis!" I called, "Berry, can they train with us too?".

Berry stiffened and his fur bristled, he opened his mouth to snarl at me but Martha spoke first.

"That's a good idea, Riptide" Martha chirped, "The more the merrier".

"FELIS, DEW!" Thunder shouted, "Come do tree practice with us!".

Felis and Dew heard Thunder's call and they both trotted over to the tree, they glanced warily at Berry.

"What about us?" Iguana asked.

"You and your brother are dismissed" Berry snarled, "Go back to your Dad".

"I have an idea" Martha said, "Riptide, you and Felis will be chasing Thunder and Dew across the trees. Thunder, Dew. If you guys make it to the stream over there, you two win. But if Riptide and Felis catch you guys first, they win".

"OK" me and Felis perched on a high branch while Thunder and Dew perched on a lower branch.

"Go!" Martha shouted.

I leaped onto the next tree branch while Felis ran higher up above her sister.

"Work together!" Martha squawked.

Thunder jumped ahead of Dew through several trees. Felis jumped on the same branch Dew was on and caught her tail.

"Riptide and Felis win!" Martha said, "Thunder, work together. Don't show off".

Thunder muttered something under his breath and jumped off the tree. Me, Felis, and Dew followed.

"Good work today" Martha said with gleaming eyes, "You should all rest".

I looked at Berry and saw he was looking down, his fur was bristling and his teeth were clenched. What got him all riled up?

"C'mon Riptide!" Thunder called, "We're going to eat at Mira's!"

I cringed, how was Mira after what happened with the Bandits?

We headed over and Mira laid across the grass and licked her paws as the four of us were eating Caterpie and Fletchling.

I looked at Mira. Her eyes were dark and her fur was matted, she looked miserable.

I opened my mouth to speak-

"This is good, huh?" Felis purred to me as she leaned against me.

I blushed and nodded. Mira looked up at me and Felis and for a moment I though I saw pain in her eyes.

She looked away and we continued eating.