Chapter Eight

Meadowpaw faced Bisonpaw, his head held high and his stance confident. For the first time, he actually thought he could beat Bisonpaw, just once. She was staring back at him with excitement. She shifted back and forth, her paws sinking slightly into the thick layer of pine needles that were almost everywhere, giving him the first move.

He calculated quickly, looking at the pine forest around him. He spotted an old, rotting log behind him to his left. He slowly walked backwards,and Bisonpaw stepped toward him to get closer.

Just a little further. He urged.

When Meadowpaw's leg bumped the log he looked at Bisonpaw with a sly grin. Then he pushed himself off against the decomposing log and rammed into a very startled she-cat. She let out a surprised shriek and was quickly pinned by Meadowpaw.

Meadowpaw's heart leapt as he stared down at a discombobulated Bisonpaw.

"Finally!" He exclaimed triumphantly, "I defeated the great Bisonpaw!"

"Finally." Bisonpaw repeated, shoving him off like he was only a twig. Meadowpaw landed on his back and scrambled to his paws, licking his chest fur with embarrassment.

Yellowivy and Shadedbramble padded over to the two young apprentices.

"Wonderful idea, using your surroundings, Meadowpaw." Yellowivy praised. Meadowpaw puffed with pride. "Oh, and you have a pine needle right," She brushed his shoulder with her paw, "there."

Meadowpaw's ears grew hot, "Thanks."

"No problem." Yellowivy meowed casually, looking behind him.

Meadowpaw turned around as Shadedbramble started lecturing Bisonpaw, "You should have been paying more attention to his movements. It was really quite obvious what he was about to do. Instead of stepping closer, you could have stayed where you were and had more time to dodge to the side."

Meadowpaw walked over and nudged Bisonpaw playfully, "Quite obvious." He whispered, mocking Shadedbramble.

Bisonpaw giggled and nudged him back, "Mouse-brain."

"Toad-brain."

Shadedbramble coughed, catching Bisonpaw's attention, "I think we should head back and see if we can join a patrol."

"Good idea." Yellowivy agreed.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Bisonpaw glanced at Meadowpaw mischievously. Meadowpaw returned her look, bracing his muscles. "Race you there!" She yelled, launching forward with a burst of speed. Meadowpaw followed, running to catch up with her.

Meadowpaw felt as though he were flying, relishing the burn in his legs. He pushed on, watching the pine trees whoosh by like green wind. A laugh escaped his lips, focusing on the blue and silver shape ahead of him. He forced his legs to go faster.

How is she going so fast? He thought, starting to feel tired, She's so large and clumsy usually! I guess she has been getting stronger and everything. She'll be such a good warrior. I hope I can be like her.

Meadowpaw realized he could almost touch Bisonpaw's tail tip. He reached out his neck, trying to snatch her tail, thinking it would be funny to see her reaction. Then she veered to the left.

Meadowpaw froze, trying to dig his claws into the ground but his paws slid on the pine needles that covered the earth below and forced him into a sitting position. His nose just barely pressed against a wide, dark pine. His heart beat to a fast rhythm and his chest rose and fell heavily as he panted like a dog.

"That was close!" Bisonpaw sounded next to him. Meadowpaw looked at her with wide green eyes as she padded towards him. "Are you alright?"

He nodded standing up and shaking out his fur, "I'm fine, just a little shaken."

"I would be too." Bisonpaw let out a small laugh, "Do you want to walk the rest of the way?"

"Yeah. Let's wait for Shadedbramble and Yellowivy first." Meadowpaw suggested, walking over to Bisonpaw to sit next to her.

The pair waited there for many moments in silence. Then, Meadowpaw heard a rustle in the bushes. He perked his ears, waiting for either Shadedbramble or Yellowivy to come through so they could get going. To his surprise, neither of them came. Instead, a ginger and cream tabby tom padded through.

"What are you doing out here, Firepaw? Where's Mushroomhill?" Bisonpaw asked.

"Hunting." Firepaw replied, looking at Meadowpaw wearily, "What are you doing out here all alone."

"Waiting for Shadedbramble and Yellowivy to catch up." Meadowpaw replied, feeling tense and uncomfortable.

"We're going back to camp to join a patrol!" Bisonpaw mewed excitedly, "Would you like to come?"

"Not with you." He answered rudely. Bisonpaw slumped, looking disappointed.

Why would she care? He's a fox heart anyways. Meadowpaw glared at Firepaw.

"I guess I'll see you mouse-brains later." Firepaw waved his tail and padded away.

I sure hope not! Good riddance. Meadowpaw watched him leave.

"There you are!" Meadowpaw heard a voice behind him. He turned to see Shadedbramble and Yellowivy staring at him and Bisonpaw.

"Finally!" Bisonpaw's exclaimed, "You two are as slow as badgers."

Shadedbramble chuckled, "Shall we continue?"

Meadowpaw nodded and Shadedbramble took the lead. They traveled through the forest. The sun was just reaching it's peak and birds chirped all around them, filling the forest with song. The finally found a patrol leaving camp.

"Could we join you?" Yellowivy asked. Twigbee, who was at the head of the patrol, nodded his consent.

"Thank you." Shadedbramble meowed gratefully.

Meadowpaw spotted his sister, Blossompaw, standing alone. He joined her as the patrol headed off.

"Hi." Meadowpaw mewed to Blossompaw.

"Hi." Blossompaw meowed quietly.

"You've been acting strange ever since we were apprenticed, are you okay?" Meadowpaw asked worriedly. He had noticed since the beginning, he just hadn't found the right time to ask her.

"I'm fine." She mumbled, her eyes trained on her paws.

"I know you, and your not fine." Meadowpaw nudged her softly, "Tell me what's going on."

"It's kind of stupid. You wouldn't want to know." Blossompaw looked away.

"Tell me." Meadowpaw repeated.

"No," Meadowpaw felt surprised when he heard the words come out of her mouth, "just leave me alone." Blossompaw pulled ahead, leaving him behind.

"Wait!" He called before realizing she wouldn't come back. He dropped back to pad next to Bisonpaw.

"Are you alright?" Bisonpaw asked, "What happened with Blossompaw?"

"She doesn't want to talk to me." Meadowpaw watched his sister walk by herself ahead of him, "She's acting so weird."

"Give her time." Bisonpaw advised, "You should-" She was abruptly cut off by a hiss.

"Hey! Get off our territory!" Meadowpaw stretched his neck to see what was happening. Twigbee faced a silver and cream tom Meadowpaw recognized to be Pebblepaw.

"Pebblepaw?" Bisonpaw's voice sounded beside him, and then came the shriek.

Ooooo! A mysterious ending! I'm sorry for taking so long to write this, I've just been so busy with school that I haven't had the time. Anyways, I want to hear your guesses aboutwhat's happening. I feel this chapter is a little chaotic and muddled, but it took me forever, so enjoy!

-- Theoneandonlylonelypotato