"CATS OF OUR TRIBE!" Oak yowled from the center of their small camp. The cats gathered beside him, and Salmon stood near her father, shaking from excitement and nervousness.

"Salmon has completed her first part of initiation. In order to fulfill the second, it is time she fights me. Unlike other initiations, winning against me will declare Salmon rightful heir and leader to the tribe!"

Cats roared, excited. Oak grinned, then turned to Salmon.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

Salmon nodded.

The cats began to move out, creating a small clearing for Salmon and Oak to wrestle in. Salmon stood near the edge of one side, facing her father. She took a breath, telling herself this was only her father. Still, he was the leader of the tribe, a far better fighter than her.

I must fight like I mean it, Salmon thought. I must fight to become leader. I must fight for Cherry Blossom.

There was silence as the roar of the crowd died down, leaving Salmon to face her father. Berry stood near the side, glancing around.

"Begin," she said simply.

Before Salmon could react, Oak was already racing towards her, his feet moving at speeds Salmon had never seen before. Quickly, she ducked under him and ran the other way, him still chasing after her.

Knowing she could not run forever, she turned around and faced him, shutting her eyes. His body slammed against hers, and she was forced to the ground, gasping for breath. Oak pinned her down, his claws sharply held into her shoulders. Salmon had heard it said that some died during this event. She did not want to be another one of those victims.

Growling, she pushed Oak off of her with all her might and sprang at him, extending her sharp claws and landing on his back. Oak yowled as she sank her claws into his back. For a moment, she was frightened for her father. She did not want to kill him.

This moment of weakness, however, was used to Oak's benefit, and he knocked her off, causing her to sprawl onto the floor. Salmon stood up, her legs shaking. Her heart was racing quickly, and she gulped as her father came near her.

She sprang to the side, the tip of his claw touching her foot. Though she did not lose balance and fall, there was a stinging on her leg, and she looked down to see blood soaking into the white fur that covered there.

Angry, she leapt over her father, and before he could turn, she swiped at his legs, causing him to fall backwards. Salmon leapt on top of him before he could get up, pinning the tom down with all her might. Oak was clever though, and he used his back legs to claw at her stomach.

Salmon fell off and Oak rolled over, turning to face Salmon. He pinned her down before she could move, and she gulped. Never before had she seen such fierceness and determination in her father's eyes. It was as if he did not want her to win. She knew just as well as the others that he was not going to go easy on her just because she was his daughter.

Salmon struggled beneath her father's grip, hissing at him. She tried to push him off, but it was no use. Cats were beginning to fall silent, and Berry eyed them. The fight would end if Salmon could not fight any longer.

Salmon shut her eyes. Cherry Blossom, Mother, if you're there, please help me now.

Salmon wasn't sure if it was actually her mother, or the motivation to fight for her mother, that allowed her to knock Oak off. Oak, astounded by her strength, came near her again. Salmon swung her paw across his cheek and knocked him over, Oak hitting the ground hard.

She pierced her claws into his shoulder, blood coating her claws. And for once, she saw fear in Oak. His eyes glistened with both surprise and fear. When she noticed blood was starting to seep into his fur, she loosened her grip a little.

"I resign," Oak said at last.

Salmon let go, cats cheering all around her. A wide grin appeared on her face as cats cheered for her. She turned towards her father, who smiled weakly.

"You fought well," Oak told her quietly.

"Thank you. Are you hurt?" Salmon asked, noticing claw marks all over his pelt.

"I will recover. How about you?"

Salmon had cuts and scratches here and there, the largest wound on her foot. Her wound from fighting the fox had reopened too, but it was nothing Berry couldn't fix up. Besides, her excitement seemed to numb any pain that she felt.

"QUIET DOWN! QUIET DOWN!" Oak shouted as cats cheered. Once they fell silent, Salmon stood near her father, proudly facing the cats.

"Salmon has proved herself worthy of becoming a full member of our tribe. It is with my great honor to bestow upon her the title of an official hunter and fighter of our pack!" Oak shouted.

Cats cheered, and Salmon blushed. Cats had never shown her this much attention before.

Oak then cleared his throat, clearly wishing to say more.

"I've got to say," Oak began. "When your mother came to us with you, I wondered if it was a joke. You were a but a tiny little kitten, and I never thought you were worthy of becoming leader. But after Cherry Blossom's death, I knew very well you had the opportunity of this position. You acted so strong, I so weak. Your training and commitment has truly proven your loyalty to us and ability to lead and act strongly. Cherry Blossom would be proud of you."

Cats dipped their heads in honor of their former queen.

"So, it is an honor then to also name you heir to leading this group of cats," Oak said calmly.

Cats screeched and jumped around in excitement, bowing down to Salmon. A shiver went down Salmon's spine, and she dipped her head back to the cats, glad she would be leading them someday.

"I'm not saying it'll be anytime soon," Oak spoke. "But when I do pass on, I know this tribe will be in the best paws. I have faith in you, Salmon. Serve us well."

"I will," Salmon replied. She then faced the cats. "I will serve all of you well!"

Cats shouted, and Salmon grinned. As the crowd began to disperse, Berry approached Oak and Salmon.

"It's best we get you to my den then," Berry decided. "Your wound reopened, Salmon."

"Sorry about that," Salmon told Berry, following her to the den. As they walked, she was stopped by Storm.

"Come to congratulate me?" she joked.

"As if," Storm growled. "I didn't think you had the strength to take down Oak," he said quietly as Oak and Berry disappeared into the den.

"Oh, please," Salmon growled. "What satisfaction do you get from teasing me? We all know you want to be heir, but you're stubborn, stuck-up, and annoying."

Storm's eyes flashed with anger. "At least my mentor didn't go easy on me."

Salmon gasped. "Oak did not go easy on me! I've never seen him fight that way before!"

"Please. It was obvious," Storm purred.

"Why, you little—"

"Salmon! Congrulations!" Mouse shouted, Honey following behind her.

"Just remember what I said," Storm spoke quietly, leaving her to chat with her friends.

"It was so neat seeing you fight Oak!" Honey exclaimed.

"A real spectacle!" Mouse agreed.

"Thanks, guys. I better be heading to Berry's den though," she explained, glancing down at the dried blood clustered to her pelt.

"Oh, of course," Honey agreed. "We'll catch up with you later, Salmon."

"Bye!" Mouse called, wandering off.

Salmon smiled and entered into the den, finding Berry just finishing up on Oak's wounds.

"All right, Oak, you're looking good," Berry said at last as she applied the last bit of cobwebs.

"Thanks. I didn't realize my daughter had such sharp claws," Oak purred, smiling at Salmon. It was meant to be a compliment, but Salmon felt guilty for harming her father.

"I'll catch up with you later," Oak told Salmon. "We have much to discuss."

Salmon nodded, now alone in the den with Berry. Silence hung in the air as Berry once again applied the familiar herbs and cobwebs. After placing some marigold on Salmon's wound, she winced, a stinging sensation taking over her body.

"It's fine," Berry coaxed her. She applied one last set of cobwebs, and Salmon sighed in relief.

"I hope you haven't forgotten what I've told you," Berry whispered.

Salmon did not need to ask. She knew Berry meant the prophecy that Salmon had already chosen to ignore.

"Of course not," Salmon replied, standing up.

"Good," Berry said, nodding. Salmon waved good-bye, noticing Berry seemed to be unconvinced. Salmon just wished Berry would let it go.