Thanks, I'm glad you guys enjoyed my story. So here's the second chappie! Hope you would enjoy it as much as you enjoyed the last one! XD


Chapter 2: Sandpaw

Firepaw moaned gently as he felt something poking him uncomfortably on his side, he slowly blinked open his eyes, trying his best to not squirm against the bright rays of sunlight that filtered into his eyes.

"Wake up, Firepaw." it was Graypaw's voice. "It's about time for the hunting assessment Tigerclaw had arranged for us!"

Firepaw groaned as his pulled his stiffy body up into a sitting position. His joints ached for being sleeping outside in the clearing. He arched his back in a comforting stretch and turned his head to groom his ruffled fur and glanced at Spottedleaf. Her neat tortoiseshell fur was moving up and down in her steady rythm of breathing. Firepaw breathed a sigh of relief at Spottedleaf was able to breathe properly again.

"Come on," Graypaw mewed impatiently. "Tigerclaw isn't going to be in a good mood even if he is deputy!"

Firepaw gave his chest another couple of licks and trotted off with Graypaw. "You are acting like an impatient lump of fur today." Firepaw observed his friend.

"It's just that Tigerstar is going to be tough on us if we get late, since he's deputy." Graypaw puffed, heading towards the camp entrance.

Firepaw followed closely. "He is dangerous, I tell you."

Graypaw was silent for a moment. "It doesn't make him dangerous if he just murdered Redtail and tried to get rid of Ravenpaw!"

"Just." Firepaw snorted, scrabbling up to the top of the ravine.

As the two apprentices entered the training hollow, they heard a low growl. "It's about time." Tigerclaw emerged from under a gorse bush.

"Sorry, Tigerclaw." Graypaw mewed hastily. But Tigerclaw was staring at Firepaw, who held his gaze without flinching. Firepaw felt the dark tabby's gaze burn right through him but he just stared back, determined not to show any weakness.

"Come on," Tigerclaw meowed finally, waving his tail. "it's time to test your hunting skills."

Firepaw felt full of anticipation, standing up straighter, he listened to Tigerclaw's instructions. All of the previous hostility vanishing like dew, he pricked his ears as Tigerclaw began to speak.

"Both of you have to hunt in separate areas," he paused, glancing up at the sun. "it's almost sunhigh, so be back here at early dusk. I'll be watching you two carefully." he added, glancing at Firepaw. Firepaw felt his fur begin to bristle, all that hostility coming back. Is Tigerclaw going to think that he will be caught talking to Smudge again?

Tigerclaw ignored the glare Firepaw gave him and continued. "Graypaw, you go hunt from the Great Sycamore as far as Fourtrees. And Firepaw," Tigerclaw said fixing a stern glare on him that made Firepaw burn with irritation and defiance. Firepaw has made up his mind to not be suspected of his favor to kittypet life. "You go hunt from Tallpines along Sunning Rocks up to the Owl Tree." Tigerclaw finished.

Both apprentices nodded and they sprang off in opposite directions towards their assigned areas. Firepaw felt relieved only when he had plunged into the thick covering of the bushes and when Tigerclaw's scortching gaze was no longer felt on his flank.

- - - - - - - - - -

Stepping lightly, Firepaw crept on the creature. It was scuffling along the roots of a oak tree and haven't detected a thing. Firepaw gathered his haunches and sprang. Landing with his front claws sinking into the furry skin, Firepaw killed it with a swift bite to the neck. Turning around with the mouse dangling from his jaws, Firepaw tossed the mouse along with the chaffinch he caught earlier, he scraped earth over it so he can collect it later.

Firepaw had veered sharply away from Tallpines and entered the undergrowth that surrounded Sunning Rocks. He was now trotting slowly along the border of Sunning Rocks, thinking about how to tell Bluestar of Tigerclaw's treachery. He could tell her in their next training session, but he quickly dismissed that thought. He would be taken away by learning new techniques and would have no chance of even to mention it. Longtail and Darkstripe guarded her den day and night, hearing all conversations being told.

Firepaw shook his head. Bluestar expected too much of Tigerclaw, she wouldn't believe him. Then a little rustle in a bush distarcted him. Firepaw parted his jaws to draw it the scent. It was a cat. Firepaw felt his fur beginning to rise. He dropped into a crouch and pinpointed the cat as the bush gave another rustle. He leaped, landing straight on top of a lump of ginger fur. The cat gave a screech of surprise and struggled. Firepaw then recognized the scent.

"Sandpaw?" Firepaw mewed, jumping off her back.

Sandpaw shook herself. "Firepaw?" she relaxed, her fur lying down. "I thought you were some cat from another clan planning to ambush me."

"So did I." Firepaw said slowly, surprised at the amused tone of Sandpaw. He had suspected of a sharp retort and his ears being clawed off.

"What are you doing here?" Sandpaw asked, fixing his gaze with her forest green eyes.

"Hunting assessment." Firepaw replied. "And you?"

"Oh, that." Sandpaw purred, pointing to a small pile of leaves. "Runningwind got his paw cut while repairing the nursery walls, so Spottedleaf asked me to fetch some marigold leaves since her stock was running low."

Firepaw just nodded, feeling puzzled at Sandpaw's sudden change of emotion at the mention of Spottedleaf. What was she thinking? "I think I'd better go." Firepaw stood up.

Sandpaw nodded, picking up the leaves, she looked at Firepaw with warmth in her eyes. Firepaw felt his ears getting hot. Sandpaw then merely brushed past him towards the ThunderClan camp. Only when the tip of Sandpaw's tail disappeared behind the bushes, did Firepaw turn towards the Owl Tree and continue his hunting assessment. Then did he realize that Tigerclaw could have taken in all of these scenes.


It's been a while since I updated, so...my apologies! I have been wondering if I should make Firepaw meet Yellowfang, can I have suggestions please? Anyways just plz stay tuned and review! XD