Chapter Fifteen
~Fight-of-the-Fierce~
Fiercepaw woke up the next morning, refreshed but worried.
Silverpaw hadn't visited her last night. It is worrying because normally she doesn't go a single night without seeing her StarClan littermate. The last time she saw Silverpaw, he had seemed distracted but Fiercepaw hadn't worried about it because he promised her it was nothing.
Slipping out of her nest, Fiercepaw paused to shake herself off before leaving the den, trotting over to the nursing den and poking her head in. Frostheart was still sleeping; the beautiful white queen curled around Aspenkit in a way that made longing light in Fiercepaw.
She could remember the days when she had done that with Nightstream. They were a little hazy but the comforting feeling of being surrounded by her mother's scent, warm milk sliding down her throat with the wiggling body of her littermate beside her…it is a fleeting memory that Fiercepaw holds close to her heart, even now that she is waging a cold war with her mother.
Aspenkit raised her fluffy cream and gray head, her blue eyes brightening when she spotted Fiercepaw. Wiggling around, Aspenkit gracefully slipped free and trotted over to Fiercepaw, tail raised high and a low purr rumbling in her throat. Fiercepaw quietly walked with her over to the sun rocks and settled down, stretching her legs out behind her and tucking her paws into her chest while Aspenkit curled into her side.
They just laid there, comfortable together.
That is the amazing thing about Aspenkit; the thing that makes Fiercepaw feels so comfortable. Aspenkit knows when to be silent and when to chatter. She doesn't push something until she knows it needs to be pushed and she always supports Fiercepaw.
They laid together, watching sleepily as the sun slowly rose and warriors padded out of their den, stretching out and heading on hunting and border patrols until Lionstar stepped out of his den, his tail wound around Rowanstrike's.
The two mates padded over to the fresh-kill pile where a few pieces are from Cloudfeather and Thistletail. Those two mates already went hunting and are sharing robin while talking quietly.
This is the time Fiercepaw loves the most.
Not everyone in the Clan is awake, there is a peaceful air to the clearing and the loyalty and trust is shown clearly through all of her Clan. Fiercepaw turned her head and gently began grooming Aspenkit, a sweet purr vibrating through her chest while she groomed the young kit, who accepted the treatment, pleased she has this time with Fiercepaw before she has to leave for the Gathering Tournament.
Blueflame padded out of the warrior's den, his pelt brushing closely with Swanfang. They paused and meowed to each other before going their separate ways. Swanfang trotted over to the apprentice den, sticking her head in and Blueflame caught her eye, padding over.
"Good morning, Aspenkit, Fiercepaw." Blueflame meowed, hopping up and circling them before settling stretched out against Fiercepaw. Swanfang's scent drifted off of him, so closely intertwined with his own scent that it hurt a small part of Fiercepaw.
She kept her eyes locked on Aspenkit, feeling uncomfortable with being so close to him for the very first time. Is she interfering with his mate? A small twinge of possessive anger burns in Fiercepaw's chest but she smothers it, leaning slightly away from him.
"Fiercepaw?" Blueflame meowed, confused. Fiercepaw kept her eyes averted and he sighed, shifting closer, ducking his head down and rasping his tongue comfortingly over her ear. After a few tense moments, Fiercepaw relaxed and leaned into Blueflame's side, finished with grooming Aspenkit.
Frostheart emerged from the nursing den, glancing around for her kit. Aspenkit hopped up and turned to Fiercepaw.
"Thank you Fiercepaw, I'll see you after the Tournament?" She meowed hopefully. Fiercepaw nodded, leaning forward and nuzzling Aspenkit's head. The younger she-cat submitted under the gentle pressure before shaking herself off and trotting over to her mother.
Blueflame shifted closer to Fiercepaw, his sleek muscles shifting under his blue pelt and his warmth seeping into her until she melted, dropping her head down on his shoulder and purring.
Swanfang, crossing the clearing with Goldenpaw, paused, not expecting to see Fiercepaw stretched out against Blueflame, the blue tom carefully and gently grooming her soft, spiky black pelt. The two were blind and deaf to the world, wrapped up in their own little moment and it sent a small twinge of hurt racing through the white she-cat.
Goldenpaw watched her mentor, torn between what she should say. She wanted to comfort her mentor but at the same time, this is Fiercepaw. Her friend and in an odd little way, the leader of their little trio and foursome when Aspenkit joined them.
So she just watched as Swanfang turned away without saying a single word and she didn't regret it.
There goes her moral compass being realigned again.
~Fight-of-the-Fierce~
Fiercepaw stretched out, excitement thrumming through her as her Clan mills around, waiting for Lionstar to take the head and lead them to where the Tournament is going to be held this year. Their golden leader trots forward, Rowanstrike right beside him as he stepped to the head of the group and raced through the tunnel.
Fiercepaw raced forward, loving the way everyone works together. It is the most incredible feeling to be in the middle of the Clan, feeling every twitch of fur, seeing every gleam of excitement or anticipation, leaping together, running together…being together.
It is something Fiercepaw has never felt before and the feeling is kind of addicting.
Unlike last night, they don't turn at the border to go to the clearing. Instead, they continue racing straight forward, going towards MoonClan. There is a group of cats waiting at the border. Without missing a beat, they flow over the ravine, falling into step behind the two MoonClan cats, which are leading them through MoonClan territory and out past them where a huge field stretches out.
There is a large, clear pond with silver flickers of fish just under the water.
A cluster of trees curves around the pond in a half moon. It is like the perfect combination of all five Clans. BrookClan with the lake, StormClan with the trees, BreezeClan with the open field, MoonClan with the aspen trees bordering the field and NightClan with the small marsh over in the far corner of the field.
BreezeClan is already there, laughing and chattering in a way that only true Clanmates can do. Lionstar leads them out and onto the field, pausing and turning to them.
"I want proper conduct and keep the fighting to a minimum. If you lose a challenge, accept defeat gracefully and congratulate your opponents. We are here for friendly competitions and I won't have any cat disappointing our Clan for petty and selfish reasons. Am I understood?" Lionstar meowed regally and a low yes swept through the group. "Good." Lionstar meowed proudly, his golden pelt glowing under the new sun. Turning, he walked with Rowanstrike over to Runningstar, greeting the mottled tom like an old friend.
Fiercepaw turned to Goldenpaw and gestured at the trees with her tail.
"Want to go climb?" She meowed and Goldenpaw nodded eagerly.
"I'm going to go see if I can find Strongpaw and see if I can find out why he joined BreezeClan." Lightningpaw meowed, his white fur almost glowing in the sunlight.
"Okay, come find us later?" Goldenpaw meowed, reaching out and gently nosing his cheek. Lightningpaw's amber eyes softened and he nodded, stroking his tail down her flank before turning and trotting off, slipping among the BreezeClan and StormClan warriors.
"You really like him, don't you?" Fiercepaw mewed while they trotted to the trees. Goldenpaw looked down and Fiercepaw could scent the embarrassment coming off of her.
"Yeah, I do." She meowed, her green eyes soft. Fiercepaw nodded, gently bumping Goldenpaw's shoulder with her own.
"Last one up the tree is a mouse-brain!" Fiercepaw teased and took off, not giving Goldenpaw a chance to register what she said.
"Hey! Get back here, Fiercepaw!" Goldenpaw shouted, laughing as she raced after her very fast friend. When she was a few tail-lengths from the tree, Fiercepaw gathered up her muscles and jumped, bounding easily up the tree and onto the first branch. Fiercepaw relaxed, dropping down and letting her tail and head hang down.
"Come on, snail walker!" Fiercepaw teased and Goldenpaw shot her a playful glare, just reaching the tree. The golden apprentice seemed to glide up the tree with extreme grace, trotting onto the branch opposite of Fiercepaw and dropping down.
"You cheated!" Goldenpaw accused and Fiercepaw started laughing, her silver eyes glowing with amusement and glee. Goldenpaw glared but after a few moments, she joined in the laughter and it rang out, filtering through the trees and startling a few birds.
Her attention caught, Fiercepaw reared up and snagged her claws in the breast of a startled blue bird. Snaking her head forward, Fiercepaw snapped her jaws shut on the fragile neck, the satisfying crunch and suddenly limp body making her mouth flood with saliva. Dropping down onto her paws, Fiercepaw turned to Goldenpaw, a muffled laugh bubbling out when she saw Goldenpaw with a pawful of feathers and a startled look on her face; a black bird fleeing the scene.
Dropping the blue bird on the branch, Fiercepaw steadied it with her paw.
"Do you want to share?" Fiercepaw meowed and Goldenpaw nodded, a disgruntled look on her face.
"Crazy bird." Goldenpaw muttered, leaping across and landing in front of Fiercepaw. They peeled back the feathers and Fiercepaw hung back, allowing Goldenpaw the first bite since she is the oldest. Goldenpaw groaned, chewing the succulent meat. "This is so good!" Goldenpaw mumbled and Fiercepaw nodded, enjoying the way the blue bird seemed to melt in her mouth.
"I think this is my favorite prey!" Fiercepaw exclaimed after swallowing, her big ears perked up, the dark fur kinking and curling in an adorably out of control way.
"Not me, I like this but my favorite is still mouse." Goldenpaw meowed. Fiercepaw shrugged and ducked her head down to take another bite.
"Fiercepaw!" She froze, her mouth wide and poised to take a bite when she heard Sparrowpaw. Closing her mouth, Fiercepaw peered down at the silver tom, his feathery silver-gray stripes gleaming on his back.
"Hello, Sparrowpaw." Fiercepaw meowed and the tom waved his tail in salute, watching curiously at the way she seemed so relaxed on the narrow branch. Fiercepaw didn't seem to care that she was pretty high off the ground, in fact, to her, it seemed like she was far more comfortable in the air on the branch than she was on the ground.
"Do you want to come down with us?" Sparrowpaw meowed, waving his tail towards a white and brown tom with blue eyes, a reddish she-cat with golden marks, Lightningpaw, an annoyed Smolderpaw, Reedpaw and Lilypaw.
Fiercepaw glanced at Goldenpaw and she shrugged, ducking her head down to take another bite.
"Is that bluebird?" Lightningpaw meowed, pushing forward.
"Yup, I caught it." Fiercepaw meowed proudly. That catch wouldn't have been much for Goldenpaw or Lightningpaw but considering how terrible of a hunter Fiercepaw is, it is a blessing from StarClan that she caught it.
"Let me have a bite!" Lightningpaw meowed, leaping strongly up the tree trunk and on to the branch Goldenpaw was on before. Fiercepaw took one last bite and then picked it up delicately between her gleaming fangs, unfolding onto her paws, balancing on the branch easily. Swinging her head away, Fiercepaw swung it back and released the blue bird. Lightningpaw snatched it from the air while the others watched with wide eyes from below.
None of them understood how the three of them were so comfortable in the trees. They seemed oblivious to the obvious dangers of being so high off the ground.
"Wait til I tell Blueflame about my catch!" Fiercepaw boasted eagerly, rising onto her back paws and dancing backwards on the branch. Goldenpaw laughed, rearing onto her back paws and trotting forwards, pawing at the air.
"This is fun!" Goldenpaw exclaimed and Lightningpaw scarfed down the last bite, rising onto his back paws.
"Whoa! This is fun!" He exclaimed, pawing at the air. Fiercepaw and Goldenpaw laughed, balancing easily.
"You guys should be careful!" Sparrowpaw called up, glancing over at Smolderpaw. "Is this what you guys do all day?" He meowed curiously but turned back, not waiting for an answer.
"Watch this, guys!" Lightningpaw meowed, baring his teeth at an invisible enemy and snaking his head forward…then he slipped and fell. Fiercepaw and Goldenpaw dropped onto all fours, peering anxiously as the tom hit the ground.
"Lightningpaw!" They exclaimed, not hesitating to gather their muscles and leap, landing lightly on their feet, ignoring the gaping jaws from the other apprentices, who glanced up at the height of the branch and back at the ground as though they couldn't believe what they just saw.
"Are you okay?" Goldenpaw meowed anxiously. He lay still. Fiercepaw crept forward, her silver eyes wide.
"Lightningpaw, this isn't funny!" Fiercepaw exclaimed, poking the tom. With a roar, he exploded at them, laughing as they shrieked with surprise and tumbled backwards, falling head over tail.
"You rat-faced tom!" Fiercepaw exclaimed, sitting up. Goldenpaw raced forward, pouncing on the tom.
"Get him!" Goldenpaw chanted, fastening her teeth in his ear and tugging. Lightningpaw laughed, tumbling over when Fiercepaw barreled into his side, scrambling over his large form.
"We are so going to make you pay!" Fiercepaw growled playfully, nipping at his ear. Lightningpaw laughed, ducking away from the two of them.
"That was too easy!" He exclaimed and Fiercepaw growled, shooting him an annoyed look and stalking off towards the group.
"Is he okay?" The reddish BreezeClan she-cat meowed anxiously. Fiercepaw nodded, moving beside Smolderpaw.
"You want to help?" She meowed cryptically and he smirked, rising to his full height and startling her for a moment. Smolderpaw usually hunched over, adding to the generally creepy air that hung around him so she often forgot that he really was quite tall.
"What are we going to do?" Smolderpaw meowed, ignoring the curious and calculating looks Strongpaw and Lilypaw are shooting him.
"Hmmm." Fiercepaw tilted her head to the side, a sly gleam in her silver eyes. Leaning forward, she quickly whispered into his ear and an impressed smirk spread across Smolderpaw's face. He nodded and she sat back, satisfied.
"Lightningpaw! What happened?" Longclaw meowed, rushing forward. "We saw you fall from the tree!" He exclaimed, searching his apprentice for cuts or broken bones.
"Are you okay?" Blueflame meowed, his eyes narrowing when he saw Fiercepaw sitting beside Smolderpaw. Rising to her paws, Fiercepaw nodded and trotted forward, touching their noses together before circling and settling down at his side.
"You three were acting reckless and you should have known better!" Swanfang snapped angrily, turning away from Goldenpaw and glaring at Fiercepaw. Startled, she shrunk into Blueflame's side, her silver eyes wide.
"We were just playing!" Goldenpaw protested in defense of them all.
"You three could have killed yourselves!" Swanfang snapped. Blueflame felt Fiercepaw flinch and took a step forward, curving protectively around her huddled form.
"Relax, Swanfang. They were just doing what we encourage them to do every day for training." Blueflame meowed, nudging Fiercepaw back and missing the hurt look that flashed across Swanfang's face.
"Well obviously we can't trust them, what do we do now?" Swanfang meowed irritably, shooting a sharp look at the two of them. Blueflame hesitated, glancing down at the pleading look Fiercepaw is shooting him and he shook his head lightly.
"Fiercepaw, you and Goldenpaw will come with Swanfang and I. The rest of you can disperse and do what you want." Blueflame meowed commandingly and Sparrowpaw shot him a sour look before disappearing with the reddish she-cat with gold marks and the white and brown tom with blue eyes. Lightningpaw hesitated, glancing at the two she-cats.
"What about me?" He meowed and Blueflame shrugged, nudging Fiercepaw up and away from the area.
"You can do what you want." Blueflame meowed, leaving him behind with Smolderpaw and Reedpaw. Fiercepaw shot him a helpless look and dragged her paws all the way to the small group.
"Blackclaw (black long-furred tom with green eyes) and Cherrynose (a reddish she-cat with amber eyes), you two remember Fiercepaw?" Blueflame meowed to his two BreezeClan friends, settling down with her. Swanfang sat down across from him in a huff, glaring at the ground.
"Yes, I take it your feisty little apprentice got into trouble…again?" Blackclaw meowed, amusement in his voice.
"Not that it is any of your business but yes." Fiercepaw meowed loftily, ignoring the amusement in Cherrynose.
Goldenpaw crept around Swanfang, slipping beside Fiercepaw and settling down.
"Blueflame, how do you deal with this little 'paw?" Cherrynose meowed, her voice soft and sweet. Blueflame chuckled, cuffing Fiercepaw gently around the head. She shot him an annoyed glare, turning her back on him. Blueflame narrowed his orange eyes, leaning forward and peering at her. Fiercepaw kept turning until he was in her spot and she was in his.
"Blueflame!" Fiercepaw snapped angrily and he leaned forward, nudging her ear.
"Calm down, Fiercepaw. You aren't going to have to stay with us the entire time!" Blueflame meowed and Fiercepaw narrowed her silver eyes.
"Are you sure?" Suspision was in her voice and Blueflame rolled his eyes, nodding his large sleek head.
"Of course!" He sounded affronted and Fiercepaw muffled her laughter, turning her head to the side.
"Oh. Fine then, why didn't you say so in the first place?" Fiercepaw huffed, lifting herself to her paws and stretching out. Blueflame nudged her side, easily tipping her over. Fiercepaw yowled, flipping to her paws and glaring angrily at him. "You- you!" She growled and lunged forward.
Blueflame easily rolled with the force of her smaller body, laughing while she tugged on his ear and batted at his softy belly with her small paws. Twisting his head to the side, Blueflame gently fastened his gleaming fangs in her ear, tugging softly. Fiercepaw wiggled free of his grasp and hopped to the side, patting the ground with her paws eagerly.
Blueflame copied her paws, a happy gleam in his eyes. Darting forward, he nipped at her paws. Fiercepaw shrieked with laughter, darting to the side and lunging onto his back. He went down, rolling until he was flopped over her, his head draped over her neck and their tails curled together. Fiercepaw was laughing gleefully, twisting on her back until he shifted and groaned, flopping back down insistently.
"Are you sure you two aren't mates?" Cherrynose meowed curiously and Blueflame stiffened a little but didn't move.
"I don't want a mate." Fiercepaw meowed and Goldenpaw snorted.
"That's not what it sounded like when you were gushing over Sootfire the other day." Goldenpaw meowed and Fiercepaw scrambled to get up, heat flushing through her fur.
"Goldenpaw!" Fiercepaw wailed but Blueflame refused to move, dropping down on her.
"What is she talking about?" Blueflame meowed seriously, his orange eyes narrowed.
"I'm so confused right now." Sparrowpaw muttered, having wandered up some time before Fiercepaw and Blueflame began wrestling.
"Sparrowpaw!" Fiercepaw exclaimed, taking the distraction gratefully and wiggling free from Blueflame. "What are you doing over here?" Fiercepaw meowed, tilting her head to the side with curiosity.
"I- I wanted to ask if you wanted to go hunting?" Sparrowpaw meowed and Honeypaw snorted, pausing with Boulderpaw flanking her.
"Why? Because both of you are terrible hunters on your own?" She asked snarkily, tossing her cream head. Fiercepaw narrowed her eyes, padding forward and bristling, noticing Smolderpaw join the group out of the corner of her eye.
"Terrible hunters?" Fiercepaw meowed, mock sweetly, tilting her head to the side. "I'm sorry but how many rabbits have you caught?" Fiercepaw meowed, a sugary venom in her voice. Honeypaw flinched and glared, bristling.
"At least I can hunt on my own!" She spat out and then smirked. "And the elders can attest to that, considering I was the one that fed them yesterday!" She meowed triumphantly but Fiercepaw wasn't giving in. Circling the cream she-cat, Fiercepaw forced her to turn and sat down, wrapping her tail around her paws.
"Oh? That was you?" The false surprise in her voice made Honeypaw and Boulderpaw bristle defensively but Fiercepaw wasn't done yet. "No wonder I saw that rotten dove in the carrion pile!" Fiercepaw sneered and Honeypaw jerked back, anger in her eyes. "You poor thing, unable to tell good prey from carrion food and going blind at such a young age." Fiercepaw tsked, shaking her head slowly, a dark gleam in her silver eyes.
"I- I'm a perfect hunter!" Honeypaw spat bitterly and Fiercepaw smiled sweetly, rising on her paws and nodding sarcastically.
"Oh, don't worry…I believe you." Fiercepaw trotted past Honeypaw, the scathing comment perfectly delivered. Smolderpaw fell into step with Fiercepaw and ducked his head down, sitting beside her.
"Perfectly executed. How long have you been planning that one?" He meowed and Fiercepaw tilted her head to the side, her innocent look on her face but Smolderpaw could see the dark gleam and it stirred the darker part inside of him.
"I haven't any idea of what you mean." She murmured, the group settling down. "What were we talking about?" Fiercepaw meowed.
"You and Sootfire." Goldenpaw meowed flippantly, smiling when Lightningpaw joined the group and settled down.
"Goldenpaw!" Fiercepaw protested, heat flushing through her fur.
"Um, I still don't know what you guys are talking about but you never answered me, Fiercepaw." Sparrowpaw meowed, looking hopefully at the small black and silver apprentice. Fiercepaw was startled for a moment and shrugged her spiky shoulders.
"I would if I could but I am in trouble-eep!" Fiercepaw cut herself off, her silver eyes wide when Sootfire wandered over and sat down across from her.
"Hey guys, what are you talking about?" Sootfire meowed, missing the dark glare on Blueflame's face when Fiercepaw shuts up the moment she sees the handsome tom. The dark grey tom's pelt is sleek, the dark grey color fitted over sleek muscles, his single white paw gleaming in the sunlight.
"N-not much." Fiercepaw meowed shyly, ducking her head to the side and leaning into Goldenpaw. The dark grey tom shrugged and turned to Blackclaw, drawing him into conversation about a hunting patrol. He is oblivious to the numerous shy looks Fiercepaw is shooting him but Blueflame isn't and he grows increasingly more irritable.
"So, Fiercepaw? Should we wait to hunt?" Sparrowpaw meowed hesitantly and Fiercepaw nodded, looking away from Goldenpaw.
"Yeah, sorry about that, Sparrowpaw." Fiercepaw meowed, shooting a sour look at Blueflame, who ignored it in an effort to converse with Swanfang.
"It's fine-" Sparrowpaw began and Sootfire glanced up.
"You were going to hunt with a tom from a different Clan?" Sootfire meowed playfully, stretching out. "You never got to hunt with me!" He protested, shooting her a teasing smile. Fiercepaw blinks shyly, her tongue suddenly feeling heavy in her mouth.
"Well…" Fiercepaw glanced over at Blueflame, who was firmly in a conversation with Swanfang. "If we hurry, I bet I can get away before Blueflame notices?" Fiercepaw offered and Sootfire leapt to his paws, his muscles rippling powerfully under his dark grey pelt.
"Let's go then!" He exclaimed and Fiercepaw grinned shyly, hopping up and glancing at her mentor one last time before trotting away.
"What happened?" Sparrowpaw meowed, looking around with a confused look on his face.
"You didn't stand a chance." Goldenpaw meowed, laying down. Smolderpaw and Sparrowpaw were listening intently to her words. "Fiercepaw isn't going to court or get courted by a tom she doesn't consider worthy." Goldenpaw shrugged her golden shoulders, noting when Reedpaw joined the group and started meowing with Rosepaw.
"What does she think is worthy?" Sparrowpaw meowed and Goldenpaw shot him a sharp look, mirrored by Cherrynose, his fellow Clanmate.
"Fiercepaw won't be courted by a tom that isn't in her Clan. She won't pick a mate that wasn't born to the Clan and she won't choose a mate outside of her Clan. That is why she has picked Sootfire to focus her attentions on." Goldenpaw meowed, shooting a sly glance at Blueflame.
"The heart can't be guided like that though." Rosepaw meowed, her green eyes wide. Her dark red pelt with golden marks looked soft and fluffy in the slight breeze.
"Fiercepaw won't listen to things like that. She can be shy and quiet at times and then loud and bold but either way, when she sets her mind to something, you can bet that she will get it." Goldenpaw's mew had a hint of a warning in it but who that warning was aimed at, none of the cats listening could tell.
There was a pause and then Strongpaw leaned in and started up a conversation about the biggest prey he has caught, encouraging the others to throw in their memories. A little while later, Fiercepaw and Sootfire trotted up, a mouse dangling from his jaws and a shrew dangling from hers.
"Look what we caught, guys!" Fiercepaw meowed breathlessly, her silver eyes shining with happiness. Sootfire dropped his prey, a light laugh escaping him.
"I don't know why you seemed so surprised when you caught your prey. You are a decent hunter." Sootfire meowed, gently nudging their shoulders together. Fiercepaw's pelt heated up and she ducked her head down shyly, peering up at him from under her fringe. "Do you want to share?" Sootfire offered, nudging the mouse closer to Fiercepaw with his nose.
Nodding shyly, Fiercepaw settled in beside the handsome tom, her heart leaping in her chest as they began to share.
"So when does the Tournament begin?" Lilypaw meowed, the brown, white and black calico wandering up and settling in beside Reedpaw, her Clanmate.
"After all the Clans get here. We are just waiting for MoonClan and NightClan." Sootfire meowed, raising his head.
"Is that them?" Strongpaw meowed, the white and brown tom flicking his tail to where the two Clans are streaming into the large field.
"Yup!" Sootfire rose to his paws eagerly, flicking his gaze over to Blueflame and Swanfang. "Come on!" He meowed, trotting away. Fiercepaw scrambled up, shaking out her pelt and trotting over to Goldenpaw's side.
"StarClan, he is-" Fiercepaw trailed off, staring longingly after the StormClan warrior. Goldenpaw laughed, nudging her friend in the shoulder and bounding forward. Laughing, Fiercepaw chased after her, falling into place beside her and Lightningpaw, settling back onto her haunches when the five Clan leaders began to speak.
"Welcome to the Gathering Tournament! Today we have all gathered to share in our collective skills. There will be challenges for tree climbing, fishing, fighting, hunting, herb knowledge and many others!" Winterstar meowed.
"All that we ask is you show respect to the other Clans for as long as this Gathering Tournament is in progress." Falconstar meowed.
"If any cat decides to behave in an undignified way, they will be cut out of the Tournament and sent back to their territory in disgrace." Lionstar stood, his golden pelt glowing.
"Any cat may participate in any of the challenges, even if that particular challenge isn't suited for your Clan's skills." Thornstar meowed commandingly, his orange gold-striped pelt sleek.
"Thank you all for listening and if you have any questions, ask your mentor or Clan leader." Runningstar finished.
All of the cats broke up, a few heading over to where the first challenge would be: fishing.
"Line up for the competition!" Falconstar meowed, trotting over to the pond. As the leader of BrookClan, she would be leading the first competition. Reedpaw bounded forward with Lilypaw and a dark grey tom. "This first challenge is just for the apprentices. The fishing competition for the warriors will be next." Falconstar meowed.
"I bet I could do it." Smolderpaw meowed in Fiercepaw's ear and she shot him a disgusted look, moving away from him.
"Then why don't you do it?" She meowed sharply. Unaffected, Smolderpaw blinked his orange-red eyes at her, amusement gleaming in the depths.
"Why don't you?" He meowed and she paused, tilting her head to the side before turning to Lightningpaw.
"I'll do it if you do." She meowed and the tom grinned, rising to his paws.
"You're on!" He meowed eagerly and they trotted forward with Smolderpaw, joining the line.
"What are you guys doing? You aren't BrookClan cats!" Reedpaw hissed, his clear brook blue eyes wide with astonishment. Fiercepaw tossed her head and ignored him, shooting an excited look at Lightningpaw.
Falconstar paused when she saw the three StormClan cats but shrugged.
"The first apprentice to catch two fish- alive, will win this competition!" Falconstar meowed and waved her tail commandingly. "Begin!" She meowed and then bounded to the side when all six of them raced forwards, heedless of the leader.
Fiercepaw didn't hesitate to wade into the pond, enjoying the way the cool water slid around her, cooling off her pelt and tickling her paws. Lifting her paws off the ground, Fiercepaw swam strongly to the center of the large pond, easily holding her head above the water.
Reedpaw, Lilypaw and the dark grey apprentice stared for a moment before surging into the water after her. It wasn't often that a BrookClan cat caught a StormClan cat actually swimming.
Fiercepaw steadied herself in the water and took a deep breath before slowly freezing. The silver glint of fish under the water wasn't there until a few moments later when Lightningpaw and Smolderpaw finally stopped moving. Fiercepaw stared at the surface of the pond, the water clear enough that she could spot the first flicker of silver.
She felt a dim stirring of excitement but squashed it, letting herself fall into that calm and steady center that would allow her to stand still as long as she would need. After all her practice to catch a fish for Sharpfang, she has become an old pro at this type of hunting.
She actually likes the taste of some fish, particularly the smaller ones. She will sometimes stop at the lake for one to eat as a snack when she is finished with training with Talonstrike. Needless to say, her father never liked that. The water made him nervous and unlike Blueflame, he isn't willing (though still reluctant on Blueflame's part) to get into the water with her.
There.
A glint of silver and Fiercepaw tensed up, her paw poised over the water. When the fish swam closer, Fiercepaw struck, slicing her paw through the water, scooping up and under the small fish and tossing it into the air, the silver gleam and little water droplets catching the sunlight.
"Well done, Fiercepaw!" Falconstar called, watching with interest. She was surprised at the level of patience and skill the StormClan apprentice is showing. Even Lightningpaw, who knows how to fish since his father taught him is having a hard time at staying still. You would think that Fiercepaw, one of the loudest 'paws in her camp would be the one having the most trouble but it wasn't so.
The competition was a close one but in the end, Fiercepaw lost to Reedpaw. The apprentice had looked so proud of himself.
"That was a good challenge, Fiercepaw! You came close to beating me." Reedpaw meowed, pausing in front of her. He was trying to be friendly but Fiercepaw hesitated, remembering with a surge of renewed anger how the tom had barreled into her, shoving her down and then acting as though she were crazy for wanting him to apologize.
Narrowing her silver eyes, Fiercepaw nodded stiffly and stalked past him. Reedpaw stared after her, shocked and confused but still- ultimately, triumphant over his win.
Fiercepaw stalked off, determined not to speak to that infuriating tom again.
Warriorcatgirl125 - Thanks so much! I plan on reading your chapters soon!
BrightMind - Well, your name says it all, you have one bright mind! You have sussed out a few of my hints that I've dropped throughout these chapters. Just send me a PM if you really want to know which ones you figured out. Thanks for your long review, I really loved reading them, you would not believe how happy they made me. I'm so glad you like how Fiercepaw is turning out and how her relationships are going. I did find it really funny how for chapter 13 you swore it was BluexFierce all the way and then for the next chapter not so much! Once again, thanks so much for your awesome reviews! I look forward to the next one...hint! :)
Thanks so much to all of my favers and followers!