Pashpaw breathed heavily as dust clouded his pelt. His paws ached, and he was tired of dodging and swiping.
"Pashpaw, don't give up now! You've only just begun." Fernstar mewed. He was in the middle of a training session with her, and already he was worn out.
Apparently, all of the apprentices had to train with their mentors. It was supposed to help them become a warrior. Honestly, Pashpaw really didn't care if he became a warrior or not! But he owed it to the Clan. His Clan.
"Now, Pashpaw, I want you to try and attack me from the side. Watch what happens." Pashpaw crouched and lept at his mentor. But she merely took a step back.
"To slow, my apprentice. In a fight, your enemy would not only dodge but attack you as well. You must always be fast and ready, Pashpaw. Now try again."
Pashpaw grumbled as he got back into a crouching stance. Summoning all his strength, he lept into the air, claws sheathed since this was merely training, and landed on the right side of Fernstar, throwing her off balance. But the great leader could not be taken down so easily, for she threw Pashpaw off of her and into a bush.
Slowly, Pashpaw pushed out of the brush, limping slightly.
Fernstar laughed as she swiped her tail playfully in front of him. "Oh, stop limping. You're fine!" Pashpaw wasn't so sure.
Perhaps it was simply because he had never trained like this in his entire life. It was strange, knowing that he had to train if he wanted to live. But he needed to protect his Clan. At whatever the cost may be.
Sighing, Fernstar looked at her apprentice. "It'll take a lot of work to get you made into a full Clan-cat. But I'm willing to help you. Not only because you owe me a cat, but also because I believe you could actually become a full-fledged warrior. Let's get back to camp. It's getting late."
Fernstar probably just guessed her apprentice needed a break. Pashpaw's entire life had changed from a pampered kittypet to a hardworking apprentice in a matter of hours. He had met Blackpaw, a good friend. Fernstar, his mentor and leader. Finalember, whom he did not understand by the least. Greenheart, a strong and hopeful deputy. And finally, Birdpaw, a beautiful she-cat that wanted to kill him.
A great group, really.
Almost as soon as he padded into the camp, Foxeye and Lionclaw raced up to meet with their leader. "Fernstar!"
"Yes, Foxeye?"
"It's Flashpaw. I don't know what he was talking about. I didn't catch one whiff of StoneClan. We looked everywhere; there was no sign of them. Or Silverwind for that matter."
There was a long pause as Fernstar pondered this. "That's very…peculiar. Silverwind has disappeared. Was there any scent trail whatsoever?"
Foxeye shook his head.
"Pashpaw, you deserve a good rest, go to the apprentices den and take and take a nap."
Pashpaw padded off toward the apprentices den. He wished he could've heard what happened to her. Maybe he could try to track her down….
Then it's settled! I'll gather up a couple apprentices in the morning and we can track her down!