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Chapter 9

Swiftpaw clambered sleepily out of his nest. Even though it had been almost a moon since his encounter with the twoleg, he still experienced nightmares about crouching helplessly in a cage, Shadowpaw at his side. Swiftpaw padded into the clearing, and yawned. It was just after dawn, and Pebblefall was waiting for him in the camp when Swiftpaw emerged. The young warrior called good humoredly, "Hey Swifty! Lets go hunting."

Swiftpaw snorted, "I'll think about it, after you stop calling me that stupid name!"

Lightningfang was sitting below the Meetingstone, talking with Flightfur. The dusky tom purred, "Well, I'm glad you fell for my good nature!"

Lightningfang blushed, "Oh shut up!"

"Is she seriously taking a mate?" hissed Pebblefall.

Swiftpaw shrugged, "She'll be fine."

Pebblefall shook her head, "If she has kits, she can't remain as deputy."

Lightningfang spotted them, and called, "Pebblefall, you lead a patrol. Take Birchpelt and Stormwater with you, and maybe do some battle training."

Pebblefall nodded, and turned to Swiftpaw, "I'll go fetch them."

Swiftpaw turned and padded into the apprentices' den, and nosed Shadowpaw, "C'mon sleepy head, we're going battle training."

Shadowpaw woke up instantly, and followed eagerly after the patrol. On their way out, Stonepaw rushed in, and cried triumphantly, "Yes! I have my warrior assessment tomorrow!"

Swiftpaw forced a smile, but inside he felt jealousy brewing. Shooting Birchpelt a furious glare, he turned back to the mountains, and meowed, "Lets go. That prey won't wait forever."

Swiftpaw bounded ahead, but it didn't take long for the patrol to catch up. They reached the training grounds, a large nook at the base of the mountain. Shadowpaw crouched, and lashed her tail eagerly. Swiftpaw pretended to look weak and feeble, while Shadowpaw triumphantly leapt for him. He caught her in midair, and nocked the black she-cat down easily. Birchpelt nodded approvingly at his apprentice, and Stormwater explained to Shadowpaw, "That was a move the great Firestar used to defeat Scourge. He was a merciless, cruel cat, who died many moons ago, before there was even a lake."

Shadowpaw stared in wonder, as her mentor acted out what he pictured the scene to be. Swiftpaw suddenly heard mocking laughter from behind him, but when he turned, a tawny brown warrior with brilliant stars on his pelt loomed in front of Birchpelt. The newcomer purred, "Don't worry, this is a vision. Only you and I exist here."

"Who are you? Dovewing's friend?"

"I am Bramblestar, Dovewing's distant kin. You may not know this but her great-grandmother Sandstorm, was my father's cousin. I was there the day Firestar defeated Scourge."

Swiftpaw gasped, "But you're a legend! Jayfeather and Ivypool always go on about you!"

Bramblestar chuckled, "Firestar is the real legend. He was my mentor, and almost like a second father to me. But enough talk, I am here to tell you never doubt your mentor, or deputy." He shot a meaningful glance at Swiftpaw, before fading.

Swiftpaw snapped back to reality, and found Shadowpaw and Stormwater still talking about ancient battles. Birchpelt took him aside, and murmured, "I know you're jealous of Stonepaw, but I spoke with Skystar and he thinks you're ready too."

Swiftpaw brightened, and promised, "I won't let you down!"

Stormwater finished his monologue, and asked, "Shall we keep going?"

"Yes, Swiftpaw show Shadowpaw that move I taught you," ordered Birchpelt.

Swiftpaw nodded, and told Shadowpaw, "Watch carefully, I'll go slow at first, and then see if you can try."

He crouched, and Birchpelt charged him with a roar. Swiftpaw dodged him, and tackled his legs. Birchpelt buckled, and Swiftpaw sliced a sheathed paw at his mentor's nose. Birchpelt huffed, "Brilliant! Did you see Shadowpaw?"

Shadowpaw gasped, "Yeah! That was awesome! Let me try!"

She flew into the exercise, mimicking Swiftpaw's moves and quickly pinning him. Stormwater laughed, "You two are a good team! That will be useful someday." He nodded at Birchpelt, "I think Shadowpaw and I will continue, why doesn't Swiftpaw hunt."

Swiftpaw dipped his head, and mouthed goodbye to Shadowpaw before leaving. He headed to head for the ridge, where he knew hares sometimes grazed. Following the tedious path, Swiftpaw remembered his first day as an apprentice. He also remembered Shadowpaw's beautiful eyes scanning the horizon, and this made his heart ache. Swiftpaw shook himself, why did that happen? He liked Shadowpaw as a close friend, but she seemed to be so much more than that now. His thoughts were cut short as a mouse scuttled overhead, scattering clues as to where its location was. Swiftpaw bounded silently towards the fresh scent, staying close to the wall of stone. The mouse was quietly munching on some weeds, not suspecting Swiftpaw crouched behind it. He waited to make sure the mouse had nowhere to run, and then he lunged, finishing the little creature with a swift execution. Satisfied, he carried the plump rodent back to camp, meeting Pebblefall dragging a limp hare. She heaved it onto the prey heap, and panted, "Wow! I had more luck than you for once!"

"Well, I-," before Swiftpaw finished, Skystar padded up.

The leader boomed, "Swiftpaw, are your claws sharp? Are all your warrior skills ready?"

"Yes!" gasped Swiftpaw.

Skystar beamed, "Dawn patrol tomorrow. I said I'd take Stonepaw out at noon."

Swiftpaw purred, "Thank you Skystar! I'll be ready!"

Once the white leader had left, Pebblefall purred, "Congratulations! You can have a nest next to me!"

Snowleaf strolled by, latching his amber eyes onto Pebblefall's. The she-cat blushed, and Snowleaf ducked his head. Swiftpaw asked, "So…you and Snowleaf are mates?"

"No! No, we're just friends." Pebblefall snapped.

Swiftpaw said nothing, but turned and grabbed a sparrow to share with Shadowpaw. The apprentice returned to camp soon, carrying a lizard. She dropped it at the foot of the prey heap, and explained, "It was scuttling over a boulder…"

Swiftpaw just pointed out, "Lizards are quick. Nice catch! I have my assessment tomorrow."

Shadowpaw purred, "That's great! Soon you'll be a warrior! Oh, I wish you could be my mentor."

"C'mon, you know I wouldn't be half as tough with you!"

"Well, its getting dark lets eat."

They shared the sparrow, and then collected into their den. Swiftpaw felt nervous, and questions pounded in his mind. How would he do on his assessment? What would his name be? Would this mean sneaking off to meet Blossomstar will be easier? He bounced back to the present when a small paw prodded him. He turned, and met the fierce green gaze of Shadowpaw, who murmured, "Can I share your nest? Since it's your last night?"

Swiftpaw nodded, and gingerly made room as the dark she-cat snuggled down next to him. He guessed they would sleep side-by-side, but when he rolled onto his side, Shadowpaw rested her head on his back. This new sensation of affection was overpowering for Swiftpaw, and he wished it could always be this way. Just the two of them, no clan, no responsibilities. Closing his eyes, Swiftpaw slowly sunk into that reality.