"Get up!"
Something growled in Shadowpaws ear. She yawned and opened her eyes. ´
Foxpaw stood in front of her and nudged her with his paw. "It's almost sunhigh!" He hissed. Grumbling, she scrambled to her feet. "Why is everything always established with sufficient precision? I would rather go for a hunt now… "
„Hurry up, the forest cat is here, wants to watch the training."
She quickly ran her paws over her face and shook vigorously. "Done!" She announced and trotted tot the open space beside foxpaw. Bone was waiting for them.
"There you are!" He scolded.
"Sorry," she muttered. They walked together to the training ground.
Uneasy, she let her eyes wander over the cats. The tiger cat was not there yet.
She immediately regretted her little moment of inattention; Bone, who had gone in attack position unnoticed, crashed into her and tore her down. She hissed in frustration and pushed her hind legs upward. Bone landed on his back, groaning. Satisfied, she flicked her tail. Suddenly, she could her a deep voice behind her, resounding over the square, and a forest smell hit her nose.
" I will take only two students to join the fight. I'm going to choose the candidate after practice."
Although he did not speak very loud, everyone heard him. They all stared at him. Impatiently he waved his paw. "Continue!"
Shadow paw started the fight with bone again. Suddenly she could feel the presence of someone behind her back. Startled, she whirled. It was Tiger Star.
He towered over her, larger than any cat she had seen before, and his burning eyes fixed unblinkingly.
"You move too slow!" He growled.
Suddenly his huge paw shot up and hit the side of her head. She almost fell. Dazed, she shuddered.
"Do you see? You react too slowly. "
He again thrust his paw to her, but this time she was prepared and dodged.
"Much better. Now, attack me. "
Startled, she stared at him.
"Come on! Wanna root over there?" he snapped.
Hesitantly, she took a few steps towards him. When she saw the contemptuous gleam in his eyes, she felt her anger arising. He played with her! Wanted to show she was not good enough!
Resolutely she tensed. She would prove him that he was wrong.