Drypaw awoke to the sounds of paw steps outside of the den. Moonstar was pacing back-and-forth in the clearing, a distraut look on her face. Drypaw heard her mumbling under her breath.
"No, what about the kits and elders." Moonstar seemed to be talking to someone but no one was awake, besides her and Drypaw. Drypaw shuffled closer on her stomach and strained to hear. "The clan will be distroyed, it has always been four clans." Moonstar hissed under her breath.
A cold wind ruffled Drypaw's fur.
Go to sleep little warrior, this is for Moonstar's ears.
A warm voice spoke to Drypaw and made her sleepy.
Who is this?
Drypaw thought, curling up beside Specklepaw.
Your father, Skythorn. Rest your head now.
His calm words lulled her into a deep sleep. Taking one last look at Moonstar, Drypaw laid her head down and let blackness cloud over her.
A paw jabbed her side. Drypaw rolled over and covered her face, not wanting to be woken.
"Get up!" A sharp hiss echoed through the apprentices den. Sandpaw was snarling at her, his brown eyes wide with annoyance.
"Fine." Drypaw growled.
Shaking Mousepaw awake, she and Mousepaw padded out of the den. Bluepaw, Snowflake, and Pureheart were waiting in a circle. Pureheart exchanged an annoyed glance with Snowflake, Bluebird just smiled.
"What's going on?" Mousepaw asked, wiping her tired eyes.
"We're going to do some battle training." Snowflake licked her apprentice.
"Pureheart will teach me to be a better warrior than all of you." Sandpaw gloated. Bluebird gave a warning growl at Sandpaw and turned to Drypaw.
"We will be practicing inside the bramble circle." Bluebird purred. Mousepaw batted at the air.
The bramble circle was a wall of brambles connected in a circle and held soft green grass inside. Bluebird padded to the center and motioned Drypaw and Sandpaw to gather.
"Drypaw, can you do a the Thunder Strike?" Blubird asked. Drypaw knew exactly what that was. She nodded. "Try it on Sandpaw, claws sheathed."
Leaning back, Drypaw raised her paw and slammed into Sandpaw's ears. The apprentice stumbled backward and shook his head. Bluebird nodded his approval and continued.
"Now, this move is called a Dive Slash." Bluebird crouched. "Mousepaw, come at me!" he hissed. Mousepaw snarled and jumped at the big blue tom.
With quick feet, Bluebird rolled on his back, and gently nipping at Mousepaw's leg, then, with a powerful kick, threw her off.
"Try it on Sandpaw."
Drypaw smiled at the fawn tom, but he simply snarled.
Wiggling her haunches, Drypaw leaped. Sandpaw rolled over and bit her leg so hard, she howled in pain and slashed his face with a powerful swipe.
"Ow!" he yowled, blood plattered his face. Bluebird snarled and hissed at Drypaw
"I said sheathed claws!"
Drypaw hissed at Sandpaw and revealed her injured to Bluebird. He simply sighed and shook his head. "Go to Dustpelt." He mumbled. Silently, she and Sandpaw padded to the medicine den.