I was soundly asleep in my nest when Jaypaw woke me. I could see the bright blue sky and shining sun through the brambles.
"Hey! Snow fell last night." his green eyes gleamed with excitement. "C'mon! Stripedpaw, Mosspaw and Longpaw are out there already." he meowed as he bounded out of the bramble den. I shivered as I climbed to my paws and stepped carefully out of the den. One paw in the loose powder when I got a face-full of it. I stood there a moment, shock evident in my slack jaw and wide eyes before I retaliated.
"Mintnettle!" I yowled, taking cover behind a drift. The creamy she skidded to a stop, panting.
"It's war out there," she panted, a smile on her face. I grinned at the excitement and then gathered a pawful and flung it at Longpaw. The she squealed and ducked, the snow landing in a sprinkle on her pale brown pelt.
"Capture the moss!" I yowled, sprinting forward and sliding in a spray of snow. Jaypaw raced forward to my side, along with Mudpaw and Mosspaw. Mintnettle called regretful goodbye as she padded out of the camp on her way to a border patrol, her cream pelt dusted with the sparkling powder. I jerked my attention away from her as I saw Featherpaw, Hollowpaw, to my surprise, Longpaw and . . . Shadowflick? He grinned at me when I was looking and I blushed, the snow war momentarily forgotten.
"It's even!" I called, whirling and taking off in a cloud of the glittering snow. My team followed closely behind. I spotted a especially large drift and flicked my tail, gesturing for my patrol to follow me behind it. We huddled close, whispering.
"So, Mosspaw and Jaypaw, you sneak around the left side and capture the moss if you can. Mudpaw, you and I will be the distraction, because our pelts are brightest and will draw more attention. Ready? Go." Mudpaw and I leaped out, letting out cauterwauls and dancing just over the invisible boundry. Shadowflick and Hollowpaw were guarding while, Featherpaw and Longpaw were making a break for our snowdrift! I sprinted away from Mudpaw and brought my front paws down on both of their hindquarters.
"Mousedung!" Featherpaw hissed, her eyes bright with excitement.
"Good luck getting out, my friends." I purred, narrowing my eyes and giving them a haughty look. Longpaw shivered, a chuckle bursting forth.
"That is so creepy, Amberpaw!" I grinned at her.
"Am I suppose to be offended or complemented, Longpaw?" I meowed, throwing a laugh over my shoulder as I trotted away to help Mudpaw. That was the first time anyone other than Jaypaw had used my real name. It felt good.
I was called five minutes later by a less angry than usual Grayslash.
"Come on rogue, battle practice." my eyes widened with excitement and I skipped along side her until we reached the training clearing. She centered herself and then crouched, lashing her tail.
"This is called the leap-and-hold." she sprang forward, claws sheathed, grabbed hold of my back and then flipped me, letting go at the last moment and letting me hit the ground with a thud while she was crouching again and ready for another go. I climbed to my paws, battered but ready to try it. As I leaped, Grayslash dodged to the side and I got nothing but snow. I scrambled to my paws, spitting mad.
"Hey! You were supposed to let me get you!" I hissed, arching my back. She narrowed her eyes at me, anger burning in the depths of her amber eyes.
"Do you think the opposing cat is going to hold still and let you tackle them?" she snarled, stepping forward and shoving her face into mine. My ears flicked back and I snarled at her, baring my fangs. Fury coursed through me and I let out a yowl, leaping forward, bowling her over. I hissed, flashing my paw forward and raking her shoulder. She let out a yelp and bit down on my forepaw. I snarled and yanked it away, pinning her to the snow covered dirt.
"I hope this is practice." said a deep voice, smooth and rich. I froze, then I flying away from Grayslash, my forepaw, and several other places aching. I hit the frozen ground, still numb with shock at hearing his voice. Sparks sizzled on my nerve ends, and I let out a groan, standing on three paws and swaying. Rowanflare padded over his dark green eyes concerned.
"Are . . . okay?" were the only words that registered in my mind as I fell again, letting the blessed darkness flow and ebb over me in cool waves.
Hey, loyal readers and reveiwers! Guess what!? I WAS NOMINATED FOR TANSY'S NEXT BIG THING! When I first saw it, I was like 'OHMYSTARCLANOHMYSTARCLANOHMYSTARCLANOHMYSTARCLAN OHMYSTARCLANOHMYSTARCLAN!' Yep. Okay. I'm done. Also, Congrats to Wings Ablazed, one of my first reviewers, her story, Blazing Wings, I believe it was, was also nominated! See you guys later on Amber's Struggle. =)
