Hey y'all we're coming back to the mildly normal Clan now

"Well, judging by how you're saying that you're feeling, I think that you can do a little training today!" Frogstep exclaimed.

Hazelpaw nodded. "Thank you."

I wish I was a warrior, really. I mean, everyone else is except for me.

"There you are!" Lightningpelt bounded over to her, the moonlight illuminated his pale gray fur. "Are you ready?"

Hazelpaw nodded, forcing down her anger.

I'll be a warrior soon enough.

"We're just going to go hunting right now, it's your first day back."

Apprehension rose in Hazelpaw. "Um, alright."

The two of them padded out of camp, and Hazelpaw got the odd feeling that Lightningpelt was working up to give another lecture, so she mentally prepared herself.

"You know, you don't seem that excited about hunting." He commented, flicking his tail.

"Who said I wasn't excited?" Hazelpaw tried to cover up, but didn't really know what to say.

"Probably because you're nervous that you won't do well." Lightningpelt said bluntly. "After the last time that we went hunting, I noticed that you were often squinting. Do you have a problem seeing things in the dark?"

Hazelpaw let out a resigned sigh. "Yeah, I guess. Since I've been up so much during the day, I've realized that I really do like it during the day more. I thought I was just weird, but I don't really know now."

Lightningpelt shrugged. "Well, I get it. Everyone's a little quirky in their own ways, you just a little more than most. Just kidding."

He bumped her flank playfully. "But that's not as big of a problem as you might think."

"Really?" Hazelpaw raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Because it sure feels like one."

"Well, if you just go on sundown and sunrise hunting patrols and do something else during the night, you'll be fine!" Lightningpelt finished. "See, it's not that bad!"

"That could work, but I wouldn't want to inconvenience everyone."

"You wouldn't inconvenience anyone." Lightningpelt glanced at her in disbelief. "Why would you, anyways?"

"Whatever." Hazelpaw shook her head. "Can we hunt please?"

Lightningpelt gave a snort of amusement. "Sure, I guess."

They hunted for a bit, and Hazelpaw began to feel better, it seemed to actually be going well.

Suddenly, Tinyfeather padded up to them, her eyes cold. "I need to talk to Hazelpaw, Lightningpelt."

The younger warrior dipped his head and slipped away, leaving Hazelpaw alone.

"Yes?" Hazelpaw asked. "I know you've already been asked this, but I need to know what happened. Berryheart already told me what you said about your accident, and I need to know what happened. Don't lie to me."

Hazelpaw let out a resigned sigh. I suppose I can't really hide the truth anymore.

"I was fighting Smokepaw, the small gray apprentice, right?" Tinyfeather nodded. "I was obviously bigger, and we fought for a bit, but I was closer to the edge than me. He somehow lifted a branch, with his mind, this sounds crazy but I knew that he was controlling it, and threw it at me. It knocked me off."

Tinyfeather blinked twice in shock before answering. "That is not what I was expecting to hear."

"Well, what did you want to hear?" Hazelpaw shot back.

"It gives us an even better reason for us to declare war on Smokeclan. That apprentice is most likely a warrior now, and he's a danger to all the Clans with that power, even perhaps his own."

"Wait, Mother, but-" Hazelpaw started, but was cut off by Tinyfeather's increasingly rising mew. "We have to go tell Eaglestar immediately. She can't deny it any longer. Shadestar is becoming more dangerous by the second and with that power, he's a danger to both us and Appleclan, and won't hesitate to-"

''MOTHER!" Hazelpaw yowled, her patience breaking. "Shadestar doesn't know about Smokepaw's power! He just thinks that Smokepaw is a regular old apprentice!"

Tinyfeather sighed. "Still, we have to tell Eaglestar. Come on, Hazelpaw."

She started back to camp at a brisk pace, Hazelpaw hurrying behind her, her leg still a little sore.

Tinyfeather padded over to the leader's den and poked her head inside, gesturing for Hazelpaw to come over.

Hazelpaw obliged, and Eaglestar let them both come inside. The den was spacious, and soft moss made up Eaglestar's nest, but the leader seemed agitated, pacing, and Hazelpaw noticed with alarm that there were several rows of claw marks on one of the walls.

Hazelpaw, is this true?" Eaglestar asked, her fur fluffed out nervously. Hazelpaw only nodded in response, and the leader sighed. "Well. I cannot deny it any longer. We cannot just allow Shadestar to think that he has the upper paw in everything."

Her gaze grew serious. "I know that I never wanted it to come to this, but this means war. Smokeclan has never been more of a threat, and I am determined to change that."

Well, time for war... why does it already end up this way? I hope that everyone is staying safe!

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

-MintflightPhoenixEcho2007