Chapter Six- Battle Training

Upon the arrival of the ShadowClan patrol and the news that they brought with them, Briarstar bristled in alarm.

"How dare they!" snarled Cedartail, a senior warrior. "They're threatening battle over something as simple as catching a border patrol!"

Skydapple flicked his tail. "Maybe nothing will come of it," he said, levelheaded. "She simply stated that they were going to tell Breezestar. We all know that he's a noble cat. I'm sure he'll think nothing of it."

Galefur shook her head. "Perhaps you don't remember, but I do. Breezestar was not always the gentlemen. All he did for us was try not hunt on our land. But he's quick to defend, and if he thinks we're on the offence, he will not hesitate on leading a 'counter-' attack."

Briarstar's eyes were slightly unfocused as the news turned in her head, then she jumped up on her rock. "ShadowClan cats gather in the clearing for a Clan meeting!" she yowled. The queens slid out of the nursery, all seven kits bouncing out after them. Swanfeather and Geckotail emerged from the medicine den. Swanfeather sat with her tail over her paws, her expression one of kind thoughtfulness. Spottedpaw sat next to Lichentooth having just emerged from the elders' den where he had evidently been working. The rest of the warriors emerged from whatever task they had been doing and gathered in a semi-circle around their leader.

"I'm sure you've all heard by now the threats that WindClan have made," she began. "Yes, Breezestar has done some noble things in the past, but we must remember that he is first to lead his warriors into battle if he thinks it'll save his Clan from a made-up destruction. Because of this, I have decided that we must take action. I want the camp barriers to be reinforced to the utmost degree. Gorsefur, I know I can trust you on this task."

The gray and white tom dipped his head. "A badger shall not be able to enter this camp if he should try."

Murmurs of approval spread through the Clan. Briarstar nodded before continuing. "All cats are to help him with this except for the warriors training apprentices. I want the apprentices to be battle training extra." Gingerpaw felt a whir of excitement. Battle training! "Skydapple will assign patrols every day so that the borders are watched extra, and everyone gets a fair turn at helping out." A solemn note entered her voice. "ShadowClan has faced problems before, but we always turn out strong. Do not fear WindClan. Let WindClan fear us!"

Cheers rose from the ShadowClan cats as they faced their leader. Brightblaze's tail grazed Gingerpaw's back. "It's been a long day," she murmured in her ear. "Why don't you get some prey and rest. Starting tomorrow, we do battle training."

...

When Gingerpaw awoke, the camp was completely different. Snow drifts piled in the clearing, the ground that was usually brown and wet was now white and frozen. Her whiskers ached in the cold and she shivered. How cold it was! She hadn't expected, in all of the things she had been told about leafbare, for it to be so cold. She sighed and her breath billowed in front of her.

"Training should warm you up," Weedfoot said as he passed her. "Talonpaw and I are going to be doing more advanced work, but we're all going to the same place." Gingerpaw nodded and allowed him to lead the way.

Talonpaw, Lichentooth, and Brightblaze were already waiting. Spottedpaw was nowhere to be seen. "Where is my apprentice?" asked Lichentooth dully. Gingerpaw was about to tell her she had no idea where Spottedpaw was when a yowl came from behind them. Spottedpaw was racing across the marshland toward them.

"Sorry I'm late!" he huffed. "Skydapple asked me to help him with a couple of barbs in the camp wall."

Lichentooth flicked her tail. "It's good that you're helping your Clan, but I could've been given a warning." Spottedpaw dipped his head in apology.

Weedfoot flicked his tail. "Come along, Talonpaw. We need to work on our moves separate from the others." The dark tabby apprentice smirked ever so slightly while he followed his mentor away from the newest apprentices.

Brightblaze spoke, "ShadowClan is under threat of battle. Right now, we need apprentices more than anything. We need you to learn how to deal with battle. Remember, Gingerpaw, what I told you about hunting and how it reflects on battle tactics?" Gingerpaw thought back to her first hunting lesson and nodded, remembering the rather detailed explanations her mentor had given her. "Well now, you're going to learn how to apply your hunting techniques to battle moves. I want you to crouch for me."

"Do as she says," Lichentooth said dully. Spottedpaw and Gingerpaw crouched in their unique ways, as told.

"Now," Brightblaze looked at Lichentooth as she spoke. "Remember that while hunting, you are quiet until you jump on your prey, surprising it. Remember that you want to be unseen and unheard. Clever. On the battle field, you are cunning, and ruthless. Show me ruthlessness, Spottedpaw, and jump me."

Spottedpaw's initial surprise at being addressed by his sister's mentor faded quickly, and he sized her up. He stepped forward lightly and leaped at Brightblaze. The ginger warrior easily sidestepped him and pinned him down before he had time to say 'mouse'. "Good, Spottedpaw, but it could use some work. Gingerpaw, tell your brother what you think he did wrong."

Gingerpaw blinked and shook her head slightly, not quite sure what she was supposed to be seeing. "Um...well...you were a bit...obvious?"

Lichentooth rolled her eyes. "Good observation, Gingerpaw. What else do you think he did wrong? Think hunting."

Gingerpaw recalled what she had done while hunting, and thought of her brother's jump in terms of hunting. "He jumped too late."

"Very nice, Gingerpaw." She let Spottedpaw up, and he brushed himself off. "It's true that you leaped late, Spottedpaw. It's also true that you didn't have good form. You're in a hunting crouch. For a battle crouch, you need to be a bit more tense. Show me your muscles! Make me feel fear!"

Spottedpaw narrowed his eyes and crouched again, this time unsheathing his claws. Before anyone could say anything, Lichentooth's paw had reached out and clubbed him on the side of the head. "Claws in, mouse-brain," she growled. "You don't want to hurt us, you want to make us feel fear."

He stared at her. "Claws make you feel fear!"

"Do as you're told and make us feel fear without claws," Lichentooth repeated angrily. Spottedpaw looked less confident as he crouched a second time. His shoulders and stance looked angry enough, but the look on his face ruined the affect.

"No, no," Brightblaze said, flicking her tail over him. "You can't just act fearful. You have to be fearful. Gingerpaw!" she snapped suddenly, making her jump. "Tell me something that would seriously scare you."

Gingerpaw thought it through, then responded, "My Clan being harmed." Brightblaze looked at her for a moment then said. "You are a badger, Gingerpaw. You're going to go the Clan, and eat every kit." Gingerpaw's fur began to bristle as fear filled her. "Now imagine that you are able to face this badger and save the kits. What would you want to tell the badger that was hurting your Clan? Don't say, show."

Fierce anger filled Gingerpaw and she bristled again, every morsel of her body aching to stand and fight, even with the little knowledge of battle she had. "Good job!" praised her mentor. Now Spottedpaw, you do the same thing. What do you fear most?" He muttered something unintelligible. "Please, speak louder." He looked up with his blue eyes wide.

"I would die if something happened to Gingerpaw." Gingerpaw froze and looked at her brother. He wasn't looking at her, and she guessed that he was embarrassed. A purr suddenly rumbled in her throat and she reached a paw out to pat him. Lichentooth batted it away.

Brightblaze contemplated. "What would you do to anyone who hurt her?" she asked. Spottedpaw looked up, eyes cautious.

"I...I don't know."

Lichentooth and Brightblaze shared a look, then Lichentooth leaped. It was so unexpected that Gingerpaw didn't have time to react. Suddenly she found herself pinned to the ground. She yelped in disbelief and shock. She felt something cold glint her neck and shuddered involuntarily as claws pressed into the back of her neck.

"No!" yelped Spottedpaw. Gingerpaw saw from the corner of her eye that Brightblaze was standing in between him and Lichentooth.

"She won't be hurt, Spottedpaw, correct? Clanmates wouldn't hurt Clanmates?" Brightblaze lashed her tail. "But the question is, do you trust me?" The ginger warrior turned and looked at Lichentooth. Gingerpaw could see Spottedpaw's wide panic stricken eyes. "You can stop us, Spottedpaw," Brightblaze coaxed, circling him. "All you have to do is jump."

Gingerpaw could see the shift in her brother's eyes. His face was suddenly determined. He shoved past Brightblaze and leaped onto Lichentooth, shoving her away from his sister with ferocity. Gingerpaw instantly stood and ducked away from the rolling cats. Lichentooth pinned him easily and stood back.

"Very good, Spottedpaw!" praised Brightblaze. "Now, do it again, and this time without us having to attack your sister."

Gingerpaw watched as he stood. Her brother was normally a very relaxed, and somewhat soft cat. Now, however, there was a change in his stance. His pale eyes had darkened, and his fur was fluffed up in distress. His muscles rippled in under his spotted fur and his stance was menacing. She reflected, looking at him now, that his claws were in and his teeth were not bared. Even so, he was a frightening persona.

Gingerpaw quickly follow suit and tried to display that same fear-inducing attitude that her brother had. It must have worked, for Brightblaze chirped her approval. "Good! Now that you've got the basics, we can begin the real work."

...

Gingerpaw's body ached by the time Brightblaze declared them done for day. She watched Weedfoot and Talonpaw bound ahead, seemingly not as tired as Gingerpaw or Spottedpaw. Likewise, Brightblaze and Lichentooth walked ahead, talking in quiet voices while the younger cats followed. On their way back to camp, they passed a patrol. Gingerpaw couldn't guess if they were out hunting or on their way to the ThunderClan border to patrol. Maybe they were even out collecting barbs for the camp wall. Whatever their reason for being out, they were on the path that lead past the Burnt Sycamore.

Gorsefur was leading the patrol, closely followed by Soddenpelt, Brindlefern, and Molefoot. As the patrol passed, the cats slowed and shared brief conversation. Molefoot approached Gingerpaw cautiously, as though he were unsure about something, but eager all the same.

"Tired, eh?" Gingerpaw blinked at him. "You look like you're dragging your paws!" he teased. She shook her head to clear it and nodded at the same time. He laughed.

"Lichentooth and Brightblaze have been drilling us all day!" Spottedpaw complained loudly. "It makes my shoulders hurt."

Molefoot was suddenly serious. "Those are important battle moves. ShadowClan could need you to use those moves to defend itself, soon."

Gingerpaw shared a look with her brother. Fear and concern clouded his gaze. "But don't worry," Molefoot added, his voice softening. He stared at her lightly. "ShadowClan has been strong since Briarstar became leader. I'm sure that if any battle were to come up, you'd be just fine." His gaze became wordlessly intense as he stared at her. "I'd be sure of it."

She abruptly felt hot under his gaze and looked at her paws, refusing to look back until Gorsefur called Molefoot to return the patrol. He trotted away to join them, brushing her affectionately with his tail as he passed. "Sleep well tonight!" he called, his voice fading.

Spottedpaw shoved her and she turned to face him. "What was that for?" she demanded.

"You didn't tell me you have a boyfriend!" he teased. She felt herself go rigid, embarrassment filling her.

"I do not! Molefoot is...just a friend."

"A very friendly friend!" For a moment she worried, but then she saw the light in his eyes and knew he was only teasing. She narrowed her eyes and stamped ahead, pretending to be offended when really, she was pleased. Although there was nothing serious going on between Molefoot and her, she knew that she liked him and wouldn't object to him liking her. She was glad to know that her brother would approve as well.

*Note: Lichentooth and Brightblaze weren't REALLY going to hurt Gingerpaw. They just used her to get Spottedpaw to react the way they wanted himto. So no this was not a Clan attacking-Clanmate thing, this was just a training session. Question: Do you feel like ShadowClan are over-reacting? Or did WindClan go too far? Remember that there is more to come!

Questions? Comments? Critiques? please review and tell me, I shall read every one! no flames Hope you're enjoying!

-Cara Lea