Mid-term exams. Nuff said.

This chapter is short, but it has some important things in it.

Reviews:

Splinterclaw - (replied to review via PM)

Talon - Yes, I changed his name, but for a very good reason. Kalvus is really a lot more than what I portray him to be; I can't wait to delve deep into what he actually is.

Preparations

"He's doing what?!" Applepaw exclaimed, his tail bushing indignantly. Darkpaw and Icepaw exchanged glances. Milo's eyes widened, but he didn't say anything. The dark-gray tom had been demoted to an apprentice when Lionclaw had seen he was lacking in fighting skill. It wasn't much of a change – he was only about two moons older than Applepaw.

"I know, I know," Crowpelt sighed, gesturing with his tail for silence. "I don't like it any more than you do, but we're just going to have to deal with it."

"Deal with it!?" Applepaw lashed his tail. "I've been an apprentice for almost twelve moons now, and you're telling me that as soon as my training is almost done, I have to start all over!?"

"No cat is saying you have to start over," Crowpelt assured, looking a bit flustered. "It's just… his warriors will be assisting with the remainder of your training."

"Maybe this will be a good thing," Darkpaw commented. "There's always room for improvement. Maybe Lionclaw's cats can help us."

Applepaw ignored him and released a frustrated sigh. It didn't make sense! Moons of training, just to start all over again! Lionclaw had already been here for some time. Why would he decide to switch up the training now?

"I don't like it, but I do think that Darkpaw has a point." That was Icepaw. She eyed Applepaw with her brilliant blue gaze. "Why don't we just try to make the best of it?"

"If you ask me, it's a terrible idea," Flamewave murmured. "It's already bad enough that we have to live with these cats. Now we have to listen to them criticizing us about our methods!"

"The sooner we do this, the sooner it'll be over with, and the sooner you'll be warriors." Crowpelt growled. "Now stop complaining and let's get on with it."

Crowpelt led the way as the apprentices and their mentors followed behind. Sharpfang hadn't said much in the conversation, but from the look on his face he wasn't taking this lightly. Finally, the group approached Blade – the one who'd shared the news with the mentors. They'd gathered their apprentices to tell them.

Beside Blade was Icepoppy and Sunfur, and Fang – Milo's mentor. Briefly, Applepaw wondered why Lionclaw hadn't given him a second mentor. Probably because he's part of his Clan.

Blade waited patiently while the cats positioned themselves. Finally, he spoke, "Lionclaw has taken it upon himself to give the three of you second mentors to further advance your training. He's put me in charge of organizing the details, and he trusts that I'll improve your skills come the full moon.

"Now, you're training will be as follows: you will train with your second mentors as well as your primary. Every quarter-moon, I'll group all of you together. You'll spar in a match, and I will check your progress. I'll tell you what you need to improve on, and you'll have another quarter-moon, or until the half-moon, to improve.

"Half-moon will be your individual assessments. If you pass, then you'll be qualified to participate in the teamwork assessment that takes place at the full moon. If you fail, then you'll have until the full moon to improve. The teamwork assessment will be a set of team-based games. If you pass, then you get to move on to the next moon of training.

"This will take place for the following three moons. If you pass all your assessments, then you'll be made a warrior."

Applepaw pinned his ears. He didn't like the fact that these cats were going to be a part of his training. He didn't want their ways to influence him in any way. On the bright side, though, he didn't have to start his training over – he just had to pass some assessments.

"Any questions?" Blade inquired.

"What about Gatherings?" Icepaw meowed. "If we're training during the full moon, how will we attend them?"

"You won't," Blade responded, blinking.

"What do you mean, they won't?" Flamewave growled. "Gatherings are a Clan tradition!"

Blade turned his stony gaze on her. "I have no interest in your petty traditions," he countered, his voice cold. "There are plenty of warriors to go to your Gathering. As for the apprentices – they will stay here, where they belong. They should be harnessing their skills to serve their Clan, not gossiping with the other three."

Flamewave bristled. Her eyes glistened with fury, but she held her tongue. She was in no position to fight, not with so many of Lionclaw's warriors in the camp. She'd be ripped to shreds.

"Icepoppy will be paired with Crowpelt, Sunfur with you," he narrowed his eyes at Flamewave. "And I," he looked at Darkpaw, "will be your second mentor."

Darkpaw blinked with surprise. Applepaw thought he caught a glimmer of fear and excitement in his friend's gray eyes, but it was gone too quick to be sure.

"Are there any other concerns?" Blade mewed, staring at Flamewave. The she-cat shook her head. "Good. The methods of your training will be left to your mentors. Dismissed."

The group broke up into their factions, all heading toward the camp entrance. Icepaw and her mentors were the first to squeeze through, followed by Milo and Fang, then Darkpaw and his mentors. Applepaw watched as Blade exited first and disappeared behind some undergrowth with Sharpfang. Darkpaw followed, his body being swallowed in shadow.

"Come on," Icepoppy mewed when the rest of the group had gone. Crowpelt huffed and followed her out of the camp entrance. Applepaw trailed after them.

Well, at least it's a cat from my Clan, he reflected. Darkpaw, however, wasn't so lucky. Applepaw pitied the black tom – there was no telling what Blade would put him through.

Though no cat wanted to say it, Applepaw already knew what they were preparing for. Blade had said they were honing their skills, but they were really just getting ready for war. Briefly, Applepaw wondered why they had to wait three moons for their training to be completed. They were old enough to be warriors… why not just make them warriors and then train them?

I wonder if we'll be fighting in the war. Probably not; Lionclaw will want us here, training. He'll most likely only send in warriors until we're done training. Icepoppy stopped in the middle of a small grass clearing, Crowpelt at her side. Applepaw stopped with them, ready for anything.

"Right here is good," Icepoppy mewed. "Applepaw, I suggest you stretch."

Applepaw did as he was told. A small droplet of dread trickled down his spine. Lionclaw was preparing LeafClan for war, and he was making sure all cats were ready.

So far, things didn't look good for DarkClan.