Chapter 4

"Focus" Lilyfern calls.

I'm up against my sister. I watch her slender ginger body, anticipating her first move. She leaps up, connecting with my shoulder, bowling me over. I smack a rear paw into her face, but she stands, sturdy as a boulder.

I admit me defeat, rolling out from under her. I groan in frustration, she's always been a better fighter. She's larger and more muscular, giving her an advantage. I'm quicker, but there is only so much speed can do when locked in battle.

"Applepaw and Frogpaw, Rosepaw and Foxpaw" Lilyfern chimes.

I square up against Foxpaw, my tail swishing eagerly. "Come and get it!" I challenge.

Foxpaw lunges, aiming to high and landing on my back awkwardly. I twist my spine, throwing him off. I push off the ground, sliding under Foxpaw off balance. At the last second he grasps my haunches, dragging me down with him.

I giggle, swatting him with my forepaw "let go!"

"No" he says jokingly; adjust his body to pin me down. I heave a deep breath, using all my strength to heave him off.

"Jeez your fat!" I pant. Keeping my distance to catch my breath.

Applepaw and Frogpaw watch the battle, having completed their own match.

"Give up" Foxpaw asks.

"Nope" I say, leaping up again. My footwork is sloppy from fatigue and this time he pins me for good.

The five of us relax at the battle clearing, chattering away while we regain our strength.

I catch Foxpaw staring at me, causing my stomach to flutter and blush to spread across my face. He looks away, aware that he had been caught.

Tuning back in to the conversation, I catch the end of hunting story told by Frogpaw. Suddenly a stick cracks and we all jump in surprise as Hollowfang bursts into the clearing.

"What is it?" Lilyfern asks in concern, her tail curling over her back.

Hollowfang pants, his mottled brown sides heaving as he struggles to catch his breath.

"Well!" Lilyfern asks impatiently, anxiety creeping across her face.

Hollowfang swallows hard "There has been an accident" he says darkly.

"What happened?" Frogpaw asks staring up at his mentor wide eyed.

"Come with me back to camp, I'll explain on the way" he says, turning tail and bolting through the forest.

I give the clearing one last long glance. What could have happened that the deputy of the clan would be sent to retrieve training apprentices?