Now Maplepaw knew. Sagetail was not to be trusted. But the black-and-ginger apprentice had other things to worry about. She knew Foxleaf would give the apprentices their assessments soon. So she resolved to train a little harder from now on.
Foxleaf's impatient mew broke into her thoughts. "Maplepaw?"
"Sorry, Foxleaf…"
"I was trying to show you a move. Now will you please pay attention?"
"Yes."
Foxleaf sighed, and turned to Thunderpaw, who was helping to demonstrate the move. "If you're ever laying with your belly up and your opponent is going to jump on you, but you don't have time to get to your paws, try tucking your hind legs in and face them up." Foxleaf did so. "Thunderpaw, you leap on me." Thunderpaw leapt on her, and then Foxleaf delivered a powerful kick with her hind legs to send Thunderpaw flying. Foxleaf stood and shook out her pelt. "If you happen to kick them really hard into a tree or something, then they might be a bit disoriented and give you extra time to attack. But it might not be a very good idea if your opponent is much heavier than you. Alright, your turn. Thunderpaw, you do the move."
A bit apprehensive, Maplepaw turned to Thunderpaw. She waited a moment for him to get in postition, then leapt.
In an instant Thunderpaw gave her chest a huge kick that seemed to knock the breath from her lungs. She landed with a thump on the other end of the training area. Maplepaw coughed. "Wow, that was good," she mewed.
Foxleaf nodded, impressed.
"Foxleaf!" The mew was Sagetail's, coming from the direction of camp.
"What?"
"You are to take Maplepaw out for training near the WindClan border tomorrow," Sagetail declared with a very strong air of superiority.
"No," Foxleaf mewed. "I'm going to take her to practice hunting skills."
"You will take her to the WindClan border," Sagetail repeated.
"She's my apprentice!" Foxleaf hissed. "I can take her where I want!"
"And I am the deputy! YOU WILL DO AS I SAY!" Sagetail roared. Foxleaf shrunk back and nodded timidly. Sagetail gave a little grunt of satisfaction and left. Foxleaf shot Maplepaw a bewildered glance. Maplepaw thought she knew what her mentor was thinking. What's gotten into her?
"Well then," Foxleaf gave a weary sigh. "I suppose I'll just take you to the WindClan border to practice instead."