Here's chapter six, I believe. It's in Dapplepaw's perspective again. I considered making it in Foxstep's, but that would reveal too much about him. In this chapter I was originally going to involve Creampaw a lot more, but I decided not to. I also rewrote parts of this chapter over and over again. I can't say I'm happy with it still, but I can't figure out how to write it better.

Fact:

Creampaw was supposed to be the main character for the story, but I changed it to Dapplepaw instead.

Dapplepaw looked at the clouds, letting out a small hiss. Of course, just when she gets to go hunting it starts to rain? Surely there would still be some prey out!

"Are you all coming?" Foxstep asked, a slight frown forming on his face. His ginger tail flicked with irritation.

Dapplepaw glanced around her. There was quite a number of cats gathered together. Creampaw, Rainpaw, herself, Foxstep, and Streamskip. Creampaw had insisted she come, much to Silverwhisker's annoyance. It was the first time Creampaw had displayed any annoying apprentice traits.

"Are we ready?" Dapplepaw asked, ignoring Foxstep's question. "It looks like it's about to rain, and when it does the prey will hide." She glanced up at the sky, watching the grey clouds gather above them.

She had slept especially good that night. Well, the fact was she actually slept. She had met Ashpaw in the tree outside the territory the night after the Gathering, and they decided to keep meeting. Dapplepaw agreed because, despite how wrong she knew it was, she really, really wanted to go back, which was a strange feeling.

Except, the night before the last, Dapplepaw informed Ashpaw she needed extra sleep and said they couldn't meet. He understood, or, rather, he said he did. Dapplepaw was positive that he didn't understand because she was sure his training wasn't as bad.

It was strange, being around Ashpaw. He had something to say about everything. He was never really serious, and that was what Dapplepaw partly liked about him. She could just be happy around him, not focus on serious matters like she did all day. He was a friend.

The tree had gained significant importance to her. It was the first place they had met, and it was a relaxing, soothing place for her to go and be alone, or with Ashpaw.

"Ready?" Streamskip meowed, her voice clear and full of authority. She scanned the crowd. "Let's get moving."

Dapplepaw, now out of her thoughts, started after her mentor. She managed to push her thoughts away since she was genuinely eager to hunt. Her good jumping abilities enabled her to snare birds mid flight easily, while she could easily climb trees to chase down squirrels.

Creampaw fell into step with her, excitement gleaming in her blue eyes. "Hunting!" she whispered. "I'm so happy! I never want to battle train again!"

"Me either!" Dapplepaw looked up, stopping as Streamskip slowed down. The eldest cat, who was actually fairly young, turned to the group of apprentices and one barely warrior.

The grey tabby she-cat raised her head, but spoke softer than normal. Dapplepaw guessed she did that so she wouldn't frighten any prey that was still left. "Our party is too big. We'll never be quiet and catch prey," she meowed. "We're going to have to split up."

Dapplepaw looked around her. She would most likely get paired with Creampaw, which suited her. She still held a grudge against Foxstep, while she resented Rainpaw at the moment, mostly for being annoying. Everyday Rainpaw talked about her hunting, or how tired Creampaw and Dapplepaw looked, and how it was very unbecoming.

"Since we need the prey, I'm going to make this a contest," Streamskip continued. She looked around. "By sunhigh, it'll be pouring. I will reward whichever team that catches the most prey with no dawn patrols for a quarter moon and first pick from the freshkill pile tonight."

Dapplepaw leaned forward, eager. She loathed dawn patrols, so to get them off for even a quarter moon would be great. She exchanged a glanced with Creampaw, who also seemed to be expecting them to be paired together. They trained every day together, it only seemed fitting.

"Can we pick our teams?" Rainpaw asked, her eyes bright. She cast a look at Dapplepaw, eyes bright.

Dapplepaw frowned. She would rather be with Creampaw, but Rainpaw was a better hunter.

Streamskip shook her head. "No. I will pair you with the cats you will least likely work well with. I won't be paired, since I'll catch my own prey and meet you all back here." She paused, examining each cat. "So, Rainpaw and Creampaw, Foxstep and Dapplepaw."

No! No, no no! Not fair! Dapplepaw tried her best to maintain her composure. She glanced at Creampaw, who seemed distraught, and then at Rainpaw, who was disappointed.

Dapplepaw could easily see how the pairings fit perfectly. Creampaw and Rainpaw had been bickering for days for the same reasons Dapplepaw was annoyed at Rainpaw. Dapplepaw could contain her irritation, though Creampaw couldn't as well. Streamskip must've noticed.

And there was no cat who didn't know Dapplepaw's petty grudge against Foxstep.

"Ready?" Foxstep meowed, pleased. He was taller than her, so when she looked at him she had to look up.

She nodded, looking at the territory. "Come on," Dapplepaw meowed, starting forward. She would ignore him as much as possible.

Foxstep sensed her mood and was quiet for a moment, but apparently the moment was too long. "Look, I get your mad at me. No, I know that you are mad at me, but I don't get it. I carried you down from a tree and wouldn't put you down! Is that a reason to dislike ever since then?"

Dapplepaw stayed silent, staring at her paws. There was no way she was answering that. She didn't want to, mostly because out loud it sounded silly.

"We were friends ever since I was an apprentice, and you were a kit! I am two moons older than you!"

"Does that make you automatically my friend? That you're two moons older than me?" Dapplepaw snapped, whirling around to face him. She lashed her tail, her eyes narrow.

Foxstep shook his head. "No, I just meant that our age isn't that far apart, so if we were ever to, you know, fall in love, it wouldn't be a problem."

Dapplepaw stared at him, too shocked to keep flicking her tail. Her eyes widened with surprise, but she quickly was upset again. Mates? How dare he even mention that! "Why in the name of StarClan would you bring that up?" She was curious. Was it because he was open to options or because he was flat out stupid?

Foxstep seemed a bit confused himself. "Well, I've seen apprentices before, Dapplepaw. Sometimes they act rude to the cat when they really have feelings for them and are just trying to hide and deny them."

"Are. You. Serious?" Dapplepaw didn't feel shocked anymore, she was plain furious. "Are you mouse-brained? Or are you just clueless? I am mad at you, Foxstep, and any chance of that going away are pretty slim at this point!" She whirled away from him, containing any further angry comments.

Foxstep didn't follow her at first, which was good. Dapplepaw rolled her eyes when she heard his quick pawsteps.

"I'm sorry," he started. "I suppose...I guess I was looking for a reason to confirm you have feelings for me. Clearly, you don't. But I need to tell you, Dapplepaw, how I feel. Now probably isn't a great time, but I'll do it anyway. I do care for you."

Dapplepaw slowed to a stop. She wanted to say something, and the first response was a rather rude one. However, he seemed crushed already, and as much as she didn't like him, she wouldn't stomp on him. "Why? Why do you like me? I'm rude, selfish, and I am not pretty." Maybe if she pointed out her flaws, he would change his mind and take back what he said.

Foxstep seemed surprised she hadn't snapped at him. "You aren't rude or selfish. And you're the prettiest cat in this clan. I'm not the only one who thinks so. You look just like your mother, and back then I hear she was the most sought after cat."

Dapplepaw admitted she looked a lot like her mother, but did not believe she was pretty. Only a vain cat would do that, and Dapplepaw was many unpleasant things, but not vain. She shook her head, desperately thinking of excuses. What? What can I say that will change his mind?

Foxstep tool a risky step closer to her. "I have a solution. You give me a chance. Just for a moon. You forget your grudge against me and just act as though it never happened."

"Then you'll find a cat who will love and care for you?" Foxstep nodded. Dapplepaw sighed, really wishing she did not have to do this. She could say no and be done with the topic, but felt bad, which was an unusual feeling for her. "Alright. Not a moon. Half a moon."

"Three quarters?"

"Half."

"Okay," Foxstep agreed. He seemed much more lively. "Let's hunt. We cannot come back with nothing." He turned, his ginger coat flashing in the sun.

Dapplepaw sighed. Now what have I done? She crouched down, hearing the flutter of wings. She paused, locating the bird on a branch in a tree next to her. She slowly crept toward it, her paws lightly touching the leaves on the ground. LeafClan cats were experts at being silent, having learned to not rustle leaves.

Soon she was under her target. She prepared herself to jump. As she did, she extended her front paws, claws unsheathed, to snag the bird. With a squawk from the bird, she felt feathers in her paws as she fell back down.

The landing stunned the bird, giving Dapplepaw a quick and easy kill. Foxstep emerged with a squirrel in his jaws. He dropped it in a small burrow he dug himself.

Dapplepaw dropped the bird. "We have a lot of hunting to do. Let's get going."

Review if you liked, or disliked, this chapter!

Next chapter: Ashpaw and Dapplepaw are meeting, but they can't realize, or refuse to realize, how their meetings are complicated their lives.

Question: Who do you think Dapplepaw will end up with? Foxstep or Ashpaw...or some other cat?