Envy.

The one word that described the single emotion of one, insignificant, naive little apprentice.

The silver, black and white she-cat posed herself near the clearing outskirts, gingerly nipping at the mouse in her paws. This was the result of her early morning, solo hunting expedition. No one yet had praised her for it, especially for only being an apprentice for two sunrises. She remained proud of her feat, knowing inside she deserved it rather than the queens and elders who did nothing but laze around camp all day. It was then that he barreled down the slope. He came into the grassy hollow, in his jaws the plumpest rabbit Ivypaw had seen. Her unusually coiled tail lashed, already preparing for the barrage of cheers directed solely towards him. Already Gorseflame, one of WindClan's best hunters, came down to praise him.

"Wow, Fleetpaw!" Ivypaw heard him exclaim. "That's got to be the largest rabbit anyone's ever seen! Did you catch it?"

Her green eyes flashed with hatred as she saw the sandy brown tom bob his head, a signal he truly had caught the rabbit. His mentor, Dewdrop, came bounding down the slope behind him. "He did!" she exclaimed, purring with pride. "He saw it over by the ridge. I was amazed at his stalking ability; only a two day old apprentice and he caught this!" She extended a furry blue-gray paw at the white lump in her apprentice's jaws. She nuzzled his cheek with affection and purred again, "Why don't you take it to the elders and tell them how you caught it all by yourself, hmm?"

Fleetpaw nodded, tail held high as he pranced off. The sight of the tom made Ivypaw want to gag. He was so full of himself and no one gave two mouse tails about her. As far as the rest of WindClan was concerned, Ivypaw didn't exist. Not when Fleetpaw was alive to make these amazing feats. It was then she looked down at the mouse; shredded and unrecognizable due to her silent fit. Growling, she whisked it aside, thinking of the outcome if she were the one getting praised and acknowledged. With deliberate steps, the silver, black and white apprentice stormed her way over to the elders den, catching the conversation.

"-next thing I know, I've caught the thing with a swift bite to the neck and dragging it off to Dewdrop." Ivypaw bristled at his voice, eyes glowing green with envy.

"Well it's delicious, youngin!" chirped Orangefur- the oldest elder who still had a cheery disposition unlike Burnheart who offered a grunt of agreement. Ivypaw poked her head inside, trying not to recoil with rage as she spotted Fleetpaw with his chest puffed out.

"Excuse me, Fleetpaw," she called in a sweet tone, hiding the malice with a bright smile. "Can I see you out here for a moment?"

"Sure," smiled the sandy brown tom, dipping his head to the elders on his way out, brushing his tail against Ivypaw's flank as he passed. She stiffened and quickly turned around to exit, taking the lead out of camp with quick strides. Once past the gorse barrier, Ivypaw whirled around, shoving the tom against the heather with a growl. Fleetpaw was knocked to his paws, blindly looking up at his fellow apprentice in confusion.

"Ivypaw? What are you-"

"Zip it!" Ivypaw snapped, looming over the tom with a glare, a paw with unsheathed claws held against his chest. "You know very well what you're doing. Do you have any idea what it's doing to me?"

"I-" Fleetpaw tried to explain, cut off again.

"Quiet! I go out solo hunting, coming back with a mouse or two, doesn't that seem praise worthy? Especially for a two day old apprentice," Ivypaw continued. "I guess it means nothing when compared to the likes of you. You! And that stupid rabbit! 'Next thing I know, I've caught the thing with a swift bite to the neck and dragging it off to Dewdrop!'" she mimicked his voice, sounding snotty and arrogant. "Do you know how many times my triumphs have been overshadowed by yours?" Subconsciously, Ivypaw released her grip, sitting down with her head lowered. "Well, do you?"

"I...I'm sorry," Fleetpaw rolled to his paws, facing the silver, black and white apprentice with remorse in his tone. "I...didn't know you were so affected by me. I wasn't trying to overshadow you. I just wanted to be the best in WindClan. Silly dream considering every other cat wants the same thing. But, you never said anything to me about it until now so I always assumed I was doing no harm. Sorry to have hurt you." Shifting closer, he lightly bumped noses with the she-cat, sitting in silence for the next few minutes.

The green cloak of envy disappeared, any thoughts of hatred fading and replaced with warmth. "Thank you," Ivypaw mewed softly, listening to the soft breeze around them.

So the envious Ivy forgives Fleet. Daww...But for those who know I like putting references to other stories, you should know that these two are Ivytail and Fleetfoot in one of my other challenges called Fictional Tails. And this is also my first challenge for the Tribe of Snow and Hail. So there you go...

-Spark Of Blooming Wildfire (Tribe of Snow and Hail)