Shadefur nodded slowly while she retold the night's events, his expression unfathomable. Frostpaw kept daring him in her mind as she spoke to reveal that he knew, that he had learned of the Plague just as she had. That he knew what to do.

She wasn't sure when she had made the realization, but eventually she had come to comprehend that she wasn't sure what to do exactly. It seemed very likely, after her observations the other night, that Fallowclaw was inflicted with the Plague. And she had also concluded that the disease had been spread to the deputy after she had been bitten by that fox. How the fox had been inflicted with it, she did not know, but that did not matter to her. What mattered was that the Plague was here, in the camp, and the prophecy was beginning to unfold before her very eyes.

Please, she pleaded silently with her ancestors above. Don't make me struggle through this alone. Her only response was a slight breeze that ruffled her fur as she spoke the last words of her explanation to her mentor.

Shadefur stood up, and without a word, disappeared around the side of the den. Frostpaw watched him go, puzzled. What, he didn't have a single word to say? Was he going back to his den then? She hurried after him.

She found him to the medicine cat den, where he was hovering over Fallowclaw. As Frostpaw stepped inside, she realized that the deputy was perfectly still, as if she were holding her breath. Considering the state she had been last night, Frostpaw was only puzzled further.

Suddenly Shadefur leapt to his feet, his chest heaving and his eyes wild. Frostpaw immediately knew what he had seen. At that moment, she knew for sure that he had been told about the Plague, and it made her angry that he would not admit that to her.

"Frostpaw," he meowed, swallowing heavily and then finally tearing his gaze from Fallowclaw to her. "Why not you go train with Buzzardwing and his apprentice, Volepaw? Every medicine cat must know how to defend themselves, so you could definitely benefit from some practice. They should be leaving soon."

Frostpaw narrowed her eyes. While she did like the idea of learning how to fight, she did not want to be torn from the situation at hand. What if Fallowclaw started acting up again? What if she tried to bite him, and he wasn't fast enough? He could use her assistance.

"But I-" she started to mew, but Shadefur interrupted her.

"Frostpaw," he repeated, this time more firm. She sighed, knowing what this meant, and slowly trudged out of the den and into the clearing. Spotting Buzardwing and Volepaw waiting at the entrance, she picked up the pace to join them.

Trying to eject all thoughts of Shadefur and Fallowclaw, she put a big grin on her face and pretended to be excited and happy as she had always been before she had learned of the Plague, but as they headed towards the training hollow, she began to feel as if she were impersonating a different cat. Despite her efforts, she still felt frustrated with her mentor, scared of Fallowclaw, disappointed with herself, and tired of the weight that the prophecy had dropped on her shoulders. She knew that it was wrong of her to feel these ways, but she couldn't help it anymore.

At last the three had reached the hollow. Buzzardwing headed straight for the center, stopped, and then announced, "We'll start with a practice battle to see what you two already know. Remember, keep your claws sheathed. Now take your positions at either end of the clearing."

Volepaw and Frostpaw did as they were told, and then faced each other. Upon seeing the spark of determination in Volepaw's dark eyes and the ripple of his muscles beneath his spotted pelt, Frostpaw tensed herself, prepared for a rough fight. She hadn't had any training before, so she would have to try and learn as they went. She trusted that Volepaw wouldn't go too hard on her though, considering this.

"Begin!" Buzzardwing cried. Instantly Voleclaw dashed towards her, and before she react in the slightest, he had hit her hard on the head with lightning speed. Pain coursed through her, and she was momentarily stunned. Volepaw leapt back to give her time to recover. Frostpaw shook her head, nodded at her opponent in gratitude for allowing her that extra moment, and then decided that it was time for her to attack. She raced towards him, hoping to achieve what he had earlier, but instead Voleclaw stepped to the side just in time.

Frostpaw checked herself, coming to an abrupt halt to face Voleclaw again. She narrowed her eyes at him, and decided on a more deceptive action. She started more slowly towards him, prepared to sprint at the last moment, but he quickly caught on and barreled into her before she could speed up. This time he had her pinned on the ground, paws planted firmly on her chest. He swatted at the side of her head, rough enough for her to feel pain, but not too much. Thinking fast, Frostpaw caught his paw in her jaws the next time he tried to strike, and bit down. Volepaw yowled and pulled back, allowing for her to slip from his grasp.

This time it was Frostpaw allowing him some time. When they faced each other again, Frostpaw realized that she felt alive and full of energy. Her paws were light and her troubles seemed far behind her as she raced towards her opponent, and then feinted to the side when he lashed out. She swiftly cuffed him over the side of the head, and then ducked as he tried to retaliate. Gracefully, she moved behind him and went to bite his flailing tail, but Voleclaw had turned around in a flash and struck her flank with a heavy paw. Frostpaw gasped from the impact.

But then she smiled, and, remembering how she had watched the older apprentices show off this move to Pinepaw back when they were kits, she bunched her haunches and pounced onto Voleclaw's back. Since she was smaller in size than him, she was able hold on by gripping his shoulders. She began to repeatedly bash her paws on the back of his head as Volepaw shook and bucked in his attempts to throw her off. Then he cleverly waited until she had one paw in the air, ready to strike, and thrust himself explosively to the ground in a half-leap, half-sprint. Frostpaw shot off him, having been unprepared, and landed in a heap in the dust.

When they both stood to face each other once more, dusty and battered and yet gleaming with spirit, Buzzardwing stepped between them, smiling.

"That was brilliant! The two of you were both very engaged and fair, and you used many clever techniques. And I must say Frostpaw, for a medicine cat apprentice, you fought exceptionally well!"

Frostpaw grinned, pleased at the praise.

"Of course there is always more to learn, however," Buzzardwing informed them. "I'll show you two a few more techniques, and some tips on how to handle yourselves in real combat. Listen closely now…"

…

By the time they started heading back to camp, Frostpaw was thoroughly exhausted. She was glad that she had participated in the session; she had learned a lot and felt light and happy again. However, as they neared the camp, her worries and troubles came floating back to her on a heavy cloud, bringing a droop to her shoulders, a frown on her features, and a hard glint to her eyes. It frustrated her so very much that her life had suddenly become so complicated. What happened to the easy and carefree days as a kit? It was that long ago at all; things had just changed so quickly.

And as she thought about it more, she soon began to see the training session in a different light; it was just something to occupy her silly young mind while Shadefur took on Fallowclaw and the Plague on his own. She was supposed to be his apprentice! Him choosing her had been the highlight of her life. He couldn't just turn her away at the most prominent times; not after what she had already witnessed.

She was still fuming when they entered the camp.

"Hey, Frostpaw, would you like to eat with Volepaw and I? We're feeling quite famished after that session," Buzzardwing offered.

Frostpaw forced a ghost of a smile, for while she appreciated the generous offer, and could envision herself having a good time with them (and indeed she was quite hungry herself), she knew that she would merely spoil the mood in her current mental state. She replied, "No thank you; I've got to go help Shadefur with something." This was another reason, of course; she just had to know how Fallowclaw was doing under Shadefur's watch.

"Wow, that mentor of yours really has you working. Well, off you go." Frostpaw nodded and dashed towards the medicine cat den, aware that Buzzardwing was watching her go with amusement glinting in his eyes.

Just a filler chapter pretty much. I hope you enjoyed though, and hopefully I can supply the next chapter soon!