Hey hey hey! It's Thursday, so... well, we get to post New Beginnings. A pretty calm chapter compared to what happened last chapter, which is probably good.

PhoenixEcho2007- Yep, that's a totally normal reaction. I was shocked as well.

Succulentsofa- RIGHT? That was my thoughts, tbh that was not good thinking on his part whatsoever. And lmao

SomeStormLeaf- Yes! I have a terrible habit to confirm ships before they become canon, butttttt I can't resist. And YES, I love Quailstar, and Sandystar, they're both great. A COMPLICATED character is one way to describe him, I SUPPOSE. Thank you!

ReadingEeevee- Wow. Uh... gimme a minute, just going to send HoneySnow this... judging that Froststar is her character, I don't have to deal with this.

DarkCrystal666- Nope, that actually happened. The kits are dead. AND YES IT IS

Alright, on with the chapter!

"Anyone want to train?" Rainfeather called around the clearing.

"Sure." Firefall got up from where she was dozing on the Sunstone and joined Rainfeather, along with Shredstalk, Goldensight, Cloudwillow, Gingerfall and Robinlight, who brought Darkpaw and Owlpaw too. Redshadow joined them as well.

It'd be good to get some more battle training… and Firefall is coming too…

"Ok." Rainfeather faced them as they entered the clearing. "Quailstar told us to practice, in case Iceclan moves the border again. Can anyone tell me what Iceclan excels at?"

"They're good at moving across slippery and unfamiliar territory, as they live by glaciers. They also have better balance without their tails and can do well in trees, as part of their territory is also trees." Goldensight piped up.

"Thank you." Rainfeather dipped her head. "Any weaknesses about Iceclan?"

"They're cocky fighters." Robinlight replied. "They use more basic fighting skills on the ground, and though they may have good balance, they waste it. If you fight more strategically, you'll be able to beat them easily."

"Ok." Rainfeather began splitting up the cats. "I will take Goldensight, Robinlight, Darkpaw, and Firefall. Cloudwillow, you take Shredstalk, Owlpaw, Redshadow, and Gingerfall. Imagine it as a patrol-type situation. Basically, one patrol will hide in the trees around the hollow, while the others will try to keep a "border" stationed in the middle of the hollow. Then, the patrol in the trees will attack without warning, and the patrol defending tries to keep the border from being moved. It's an interesting drill, and hasn't been done that many times before. Let's see how it works. Cloudwillow, you can attack first." Cloudwillow nodded, and Redshadow followed the rest of his patrol into the trees.

Hah. You're so dead, Goldensight. You'll never see me.

Redshadow saw Rainfeather whispering to her patrol, and Cloudwillow started talking to them. "My pelt is going to be a problem. The cats with darker colored pelts, Redshadow, Shredstalk, and sure… Owlpaw, you'll do fine. Me and Gingerfall will come out after you guys. Go in the trees."

Redshadow dug his claws into the bark and climbed neatly, finding a position where it would be easy to leap but he was hidden enough. They waited a few moments, then Cloudwillow flicked her tail slightly, and the patrol burst out of the trees. Redshadow launched at Goldensight, who barely rolled out of the way in time.

Goldensight leaped over Redshadow to the "border line" and turned to face him again. Suddenly, Shredstalk knocked into Goldensight, and Redshadow found that the border was clearer than ever. Darkpaw and Owlpaw were fighting, and Gingerfall had Rainfeather pinned, but lost her grip all of a sudden, Robinlight slashed at Cloudwillow's legs, (claws sheathed), and the two of them fell to the ground.

Firefall launched herself at him, and the two of them fell to the ground. Redshadow swiped at her shoulder, but she dodged. Suddenly, he knocked out her legs from underneath her, and Firefall stumbled for a second, but gave Redshadow enough time to pin her down.

"I guess I've won, then." Redshadow teased.

"Hah." Firefall kicked her hind legs up, winding Redshadow, and he fell, Firefall leaping on top of him and pinning him down. "I guess I win, then." She mocked, not letting down her guard.

"Rainfeather's patrol has successfully defended the border!" Cloudwillow exclaimed.

Dang! And I thought we were winning…

He looked up at Firefall, and saw triumph shining in her eyes.

"Hah!" She teased Shredstalk. "You said there was no way we would win."

"Wait until you're defending." Shredstalk shoved her shoulder playfully.

Cloudwillow's patrol did win while defending, though, and Redshadow was glad that he won at least one of the skirmishes. I didn't know that Firefall knew how to fight that well… that's really impressive! She's really good… Iceclan doesn't stand a chance against us!

He glanced over at Firefall, who was eating a mouse. When she caught his eye, she suddenly started paying much more attention to her mouse, glancing back down awkwardly.

Does she like me? I can't tell… I know one thing for sure, is that I sure like her a lot…

Poor cinnamon roll is such a hopeless romantic, but still, it's kinda cute. Hopefully Firefall doesn't lead him on for too long... stay safe, and review! Lemme know what you think!

Have a good day (or night) and keep writing!

-Mintflight