A/N: Here's Steeltalon's third chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors.
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BERRYPAW'S POV
Berrypaw stared absently at the finch he held between his paws. He didn't really have much of an appetite, but he knew he should keep his strength up. Brambleclaw had promised to take him training at sunhigh, and Berrypaw glanced up at the sun's position to make sure he wouldn't disappoint the Clan deputy.
"Berrypaw!"
The cream-colored tom twitched as Brambleclaw called his name and quickly finished his finch, bounding over to meet the massive tabby. "Battle practice with Cinderpaw," Brambleclaw explained shortly. "Firestar and Cinderpaw are already waiting for us." Looking up, Berrypaw realized he could see the tip of Firestar's tail twitching excitedly.
Berrypaw sighed. Fighting practice. With Cinderpaw. The energetic gray tabby was so fast he'd be on the ground before Firestar or Brambleclaw could say, 'go.'
"Are you coming?" Brambleclaw meowed. Berrypaw realized that his mentor was waiting for him at the thorn tunnel. He quickly bounded forward and joined his mentor, only to have the Sunhigh patrol rush past. Graystripe, Ashfur, Squirrelflight, Rainwhisker and Poppypaw ran out of camp, pausing only to nod at Firestar and Brambleclaw.
Berrypaw followed his mentor and Firestar to the clearing, Cinderpaw at his side and chattering constantly in his ear. "So I showed Firestar a move I thought of," the gray tabby mewed, "and he said it was a great move!" Berrypaw nodded.
"It must really be something," he agreed. "I can't wait to see it." The two mentors and their apprentices soon reached the clearing and faced each other.
Firestar flicked his tail and Brambleclaw moved out of the way. "Keep your claws sheathed," Firestar ordered. Both apprentices tensed, eyes glittering at the challenge. Berrypaw hardly heard Firestar's order to begin. Cinderpaw was barreling toward him and the cream-colored om barely moved out of the way in time.
Okay, Berrypaw thought, working his paws in the grass. Cinderpaw is fast. But I've got more experience. I should fight to my strengths. He crouched and stalked toward Cinderpaw. She reared up onto her hind legs and came crashing down. Berrypaw only just moved out of the way in time. He mock-hissed, swiping his paw at the side of her head. She ducked and somersaulted forward, taking Berrypaw by surprise and knocking him to the ground. Cinderpaw was off him in a heartbeat, letting him get up.
CINDERPAW'S POV
Cinderpaw narrowed her eyes, watching Berrypaw get up. He's tricky, I'll give him that, she thought, remembering her training session with Firestar. She leaped, landing right in front of Berrypaw. Startled, he tried to cuff her over one ear, but just like that morning Cinderpaw sidestepped and got behind him. But Berrypaw didn't turn as she put one paw beside his hind legs. He leaped forward and turned around.
"You're tough," Berrypaw mewed, shaking scraps of moss from his pelt. Cinderpaw grinned wickedly.
"Tough?" she mewed. "I'll show you tough!" She raced forward, flashing out a paw and tripping the cream-colored cat. He fell forward lightly and Cinderpaw rammed him with her shoulder, knocking him onto his side and pinning him down. He hissed angrily, but Cinderpaw didn't let go.
"Alright, that's enough you two," Brambleclaw meowed. "You did very well, Berrypaw."
"And you, Cinderpaw," Firestar put in. The four cats turned to leave the clearing, but a cat hissed and they froze. Eyes gleamed at them from every angle, more than Cinderpaw could count. Just as quickly as they appeared, they were gone, and Cinderpaw wondered if they had ever been there at all.