Chapter 25

Bellpaw wasn't really watching where she was going, the only thing she was focusing on was the fact she was indeed going. It hurt for Batpaw to be picked over her. It wasn't just that she'd really wanted to be a medicine cat, it wasn't just that she wasn't good at being a warrior, it was also her pride. She'd been so sure she'd become medicine cat, she hadn't thought how cats would look at her if she didn't succeed. And she honestly wasn't sure what part was worst.

At some point Bellpaw had to stop. She had become too tired to keep sucking air in. Bellpaw stopped, dropped to the ground, and panted. For a little while, she was too busying breathing to notice her surroundings.

Once she had enough air, she sat up. Even before looking around she knew something was off. The ground was very soft, something rare in the abandoned twoleg place. Now that she was looking around she could see why. She wasn't in the twoleg place, she was in the forest.

Oh this is bad. Bellpaw thought. They didn't have territory in the forest. They only cats who had territory here, was the rouge group. That was when she got the feeling she was being watched. Bellpaw whipped around as fast as she could. This was admittedly not very fast, there was a reason she'd wanted to be medicine cat. There was nothing there.

Okay Bellpaw, take it easy. Bellpaw told herself. You're just on edge because you thought of the rouge group. She hadn't entirely convinced herself. She waited a while. Still no one and nothing showed up.

The sun began to set. Bellpaw knew she had to get out of here. If she stayed, even if no one had been watching her before they would be soon, and if wouldn't be welcome company.

Bellpaw got up and started walking away. It still felt like she was being watched, followed now. There was no proof though, so Bellpaw ignored it. Until she heard footsteps. Bellpaw gasped and came to a stop, just as a cat stepped in front of her. Bellpaw screamed and leapt backwards. At least she tried to jump backwards, she tripped instead and fell to the ground.

Bellpaw tried not to panic, she tried to think of a plan. But she couldn't fight, she was a terrible fighter, and she was too far away for help.

"Are you okay?" The cat in front of her asked her.

Bellpaw looked up at him in surprise. He didn't seem so bad. "I-I'm fine." Bellpaw replied. "You just scared me."

"Sorry."

Bellpaw looked at him closely. He didn't sound sorry. And he hadn't sounded like he'd actually cared when he'd asked if she was okay. His voice sounded the same no matter what he said. And his eyes were devoid of emotions.

That seemed very familiar. "Who are you?" She asked, trying to keep the suspicion out of her voice.

"I'm 52." He replied flatly.

He is. He is from the rouge group. Bellpaw thought. Still, he wasn't taking her back to the rouge group, at least not by force. Maybe she could trick him. "Well it's nice to meet you 52." Bellpaw said, smiling.

'52' nodded, not at all curious about her own name. The rouge group cats weren't typically curious about anything. "It would be nicer to meet Leader." He told Bellpaw.

Well, here it goes. Your chance. Bellpaw thought. "Oh, but I've met him." She said.

52 looked confused, the most emotion that had ever passed his face. "But . . . I do not know you."

Bellpaw shook her head. "No. Leader hasn't invited me to join the rouge group yet. He wants to know how strong I am, by attacking the clan cats."

"That does not sound like Leader."

Bellpaw glared at him dangerously, though it was a completely a bluff. "Well that's what he said. Do you question Leader?"

52 shook his head. "No. I'm sure that is what he told you."

Bellpaw nodded. "It is. He also told me I needed to meet him at their border. That's where I was going."

52 nodded. "Okay. I will go with you." As emotionless as ever.

Bellpaw suspected he would say that, but it didn't matter. Once they got to the border she would have help. 52 turned around and started back to Leafclan. Bellpaw followed him, practically skipping. She had tricked him. Of course, she suspected he was gullible, but still.

They reached the border. "Leader isn't-" 52 started.

Bellpaw dashed past him into Leafclan territory.

52 turned, see her go. "You tricked me!" The only reason he shouted was so she'd hear from her distance. It was weird to hear something like that with no emotion, just volume.

"Yeah! Deal with it!" Bellpaw called over her shoulder.

52 didn't let it go. He chased her over the border. Bellpaw tried to run faster, but it was no use. She'd run all the way out to the forest ,she didn't have the energy to run anymore. 52 leapt into the air and landed on her, crushing her. She struggled, feeling dizzy. Then the weight of 52 left her. Bellpaw looked up, surprised.

52 was fighting Springstar. Springstar slashed 52's face, she hissed angrily. 52 did too, but he wasn't brainless enough to stick around. He turned around and dashed off the territory.

"That's right! And don't come back fox brain!" Springstar shouted. She turned around and looked sympathetically at Bellpaw. "Are you okay?"

Bellpaw nodded, panting heavily. "Fine."

"I'm sorry you couldn't have been a medicine cat."

Bellpaw sighed and looked at the ground. "It's okay. Just tell me who my mentor will be."

Springstar, unlike 52, showed emotions on her face. From the face she had now, Bellpaw could tell there was more bad news. "What is it?" Bellpaw asked, sounding tired.

"Well, Bellpaw, we're out of fully grown warriors. I'm afraid, there's not one left to be your mentor."

Bellpaw snapped her head back up. "What?!"

"I'm sorry. We're going to give you all the attention we can. If there was more I could do, I would."

Bellpaw looked at the ground. "It's fine." She mumbled miserably. "Let's just get back."

(I can't believe I'm falling back onto doing this. But someone review. Please?)